Sunglasses not good enough for Friday’s eclipse, warn ophthalmologist

Seems obvious, but don’t look at the sun

Mar 15, 2015

When the solar eclipse darkens Danish skies on Friday morning, many will be looking skyward.

Ophthalmologist John Thygesen from Øjenlægernes Hus, the eye health centre, warns that care should be taken.

“It is extremely dangerous to look at the sun without eye protection. It can scar the retina,” Thygesen told Ekstra Bladet. “Looking at a solar eclipse is like having a laser shined directly into your eye.”

Ray-Bans won’t work
Mant retailers are already sold out of protective googles, and Thygesen warned against using regular sunglasses to watch the eclipse.

“Sunglasses do not work at all, because they do not have the required protection in the glass,” he said.

Thygesen said that old wives tales about watching through strips of film and blackened glass could also result in eye damage.

“It is less tiring for to look at the sun when it is covered up during an eclipse, so people tend to stare at the sun for longer than they normally would.”

Friday's eclipse will see about 80 percent of the sun covered in Denmark. The total solar eclipse can be viewed on the Faroe Islands.

TOP STORIES

In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish
Here Comes The Sun…

I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.
Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark
The international who shaped Copenhagen

Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said
Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.
Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Career

Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO
International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.
This rural town in Denmark has a 17 percent international workforce — Here’s how

With a low unemployment rate and aging population, the municipality is actively recruiting workers from abroad to fill essential roles and support long-term growth