Keep corneas safe during solar eclipse Published March 19, 2015 86th Airlift wing public affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A partial solar eclipse of the sun will be visible from Ramstein Air Base and most of Europe March 20, starting at 9:29 a.m. with the darkest portion occurring around 10:37 a.m. The weather is forecasted to be clear and sunny, and Airmen are encouraged to get outside to view the event. However, Ramstein leadership and the 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron's Optometry clinic would like to ask everyone to stay safe for the rare occurrence. "It's never a good idea to look directly at the sun, even during a full an eclipse, so I'd rather not put a time limit on how long you can stare at it," said Maj. Richard Yoo, 86th AMDS Optometry flight commander. "Everyone's eyes are different and even wearing regular sunglasses to look at the sun is not recommended." Looking directly at the sun can damage a person's corneas, so the eclipse should not be viewed directly. Using protective gear such as welder's glasses or even items around the house can help spectators get a good look at the eclipse. "The best way to look at a solar eclipse with things found around the house is through a camera (web camera, cell phone camera, or through the screen on the DSLR camera)," Yoo explained. "The idea is to look at the sun indirectly. This avoids harmful parts of the sunlight from going directly into your eyes. Looking at a LCD screen is a safe way from preventing the sunlight entering your eyes directly." Another common way to watch a solar eclipse is through a homemade pinhole projector, which can be made with just two pieces of paper. Regardless of what way you decide to view the eclipse with, make sure to keep your corneas safe. For more questions concerning eye safety please contact the 86th AMDS Optometry clinic at 480-2350.