Certified solar eclipse glasses have sold out across parts of Europe ahead of a major partial solar eclipse on August 12, the most significant such event visible on the continent in over two decades. Belgian opticians ran out of stock a week before the eclipse, with industry representatives unable to source additional supplies from any distributors.
The eclipse will be partial across Europe, with nearly 90% coverage in Belgium, around 92% in Milan, and over 90% in the UK at its peak. The American Astronomical Society lists 25 verified manufacturers across the United States, Europe, and China.
Health officials warn that only ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses are safe for viewing, as ordinary sunglasses and DIY filters offer inadequate protection. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported around 70 cases of vision damage following the 1999 total eclipse, with many sufferers having looked at the Sun for less than a minute.