PEOPLE planning to watch Wednesday’s solar eclipse are being warned to take extra care when buying eclipse glasses online, amid concerns that fake, poorly made or misleadingly marketed products could leave their eyesight at risk.
A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday 12 August – it will reach its maximum at 7.12pm in London.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that looking directly at the sun without the correct protection can cause permanent damage to eyesight, and says people should not use eclipse glasses if they are unsure whether they are properly certified.
UKHSA also advises against using damaged eclipse glasses and says people can view the eclipse indirectly using methods such as a pinhole viewer if they do not have suitable eye protection.
With demand for eclipse glasses expected to surge in the final hours before the event, consumers who have left it late may find themselves turning to unfamiliar online sellers or paying inflated prices to secure a pair in time.
Experts warn that the rush creates an opportunity for counterfeiters and unscrupulous traders to exploit shoppers who may not have time to properly check what they are buying.
The risks could extend beyond fake glasses, with cyber security experts also warning that scammers may target people searching for livestreams if they are unable to watch the eclipse safely in person.
Consumers are being urged to be wary of suspicious websites, QR codes, downloads and payment requests linked to supposedly free eclipse broadcasts.
Suspicious
Tamzin Burch, Marketing Manager at Corsearch, said bad actors can take advantage of these surges in demand.
She added: “We see how counterfeiters exploit sudden spikes in consumer demand, and major events like a solar eclipse can create exactly that opportunity. Bad actors can move quickly, using online marketplaces and misleading claims to sell products that appear legitimate but may not meet required safety standards.
“When the product is designed to protect someone’s health, counterfeiting becomes more than a brand or IP issue, it becomes a consumer safety issue. Fake eclipse glasses could give consumers a dangerous sense of security when looking directly at the sun.
“Consumers should follow official safety guidance and purchase protective products from trusted, verifiable sources.”
Daniel Mohacek, CEO of review authenticity platform TruthEngine, said it isn’t worth taking the risk of buying a dodgy pair of glasses online.
He added: “Events like this create exactly the sort of sudden surge in demand that scammers and unscrupulous sellers can try to exploit. People searching online at the last minute may be presented with products that look legitimate, carry convincing claims and have glowing reviews, but that does not necessarily mean they are safe.
“When something is designed to protect your eyesight, consumers need to be particularly cautious. Don’t simply choose a pair because it has thousands of five-star reviews or because the product description says it is ‘certified’. Look carefully at who is actually selling it, whether the seller can be identified and whether the safety claims can be verified.
“Fake and misleading reviews are another reason to be careful. A wall of positive feedback can create a false sense of reassurance around a product, particularly when people are buying quickly ahead of a major event. If anything about the seller, reviews or safety claims looks suspicious, it simply isn’t worth taking the risk with your eyesight.”
Marty Bauer, ecommerce expert at Omnisend, said we may see the glasses being sold for four or five times its normal price.
He added: “Events like this week’s solar eclipse show just how quickly consumer demand can shift around a single moment. Nobody wants to feel left out of a once-in-a lifetime moment, so the hype has trickled into the economy.
“Eclipse glasses are a perfect example of a product most people would never normally think about buying, but which can suddenly become a must-have item almost overnight. We see the same pattern during heatwaves with fans and air conditioning units, or when bad weather sends shoppers looking for waterproofs and umbrellas.
“Ecommerce giants like Amazon and eBay have already reached the point of failing to meet demand, with most eclipse glasses now sold out, with orders unable to be fulfilled until after the event. Brits must now turn to the high street to see if any retailers were able to stockpile enough ahead of Wednesday. We may even see them being sold for four or five times the price at local organised events.”
Cautious
Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, said people need to be wary of dodgy livestreams of the eclipse.
He added: “People who don’t have eclipse glasses, or won’t be able to see the eclipse because of cloud cover, are likely to head online looking for a livestream, and scammers know there will be a sudden surge in people searching for exactly that.
“This isn’t just a hypothetical risk. During the 2024 solar eclipse in North America, scammers created fake SpaceX livestreams featuring a deepfake Elon Musk. One reportedly attracted around 95,000 viewers and included a QR code directing people to a fraudulent cryptocurrency website.
“The technology has only become more convincing since then. A scammer can take existing footage, branding and even AI-generated video or audio and create something which looks like a legitimate live broadcast.
“People should be suspicious if a supposedly free eclipse stream asks them to create an account, enter payment details, scan a QR code or download anything before they can watch.”
Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director & IFA at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial, said it’s not worth gambling with your health.
He added: “This is one of those situations where a cheap online bargain could have genuinely life-changing consequences. With the weather looking good across much of the country, visibility could be excellent and millions of people may be tempted to look up.
“The danger with fake eclipse glasses is that people may actually stare at the sun for longer because they believe they’re protected. Retinal damage can happen without pain, and by the time you realise something is wrong, the damage could be permanent. If you’re buying glasses online, this isn’t the moment to take a punt on an unknown seller to save a few quid.
“Make sure they’re genuine, properly certified eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2, or use a safe indirect viewing method instead. Saving £5 isn’t worth gambling with your eyesight.”
