Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe

A frantic search for certified protective eyewear is underway across Europe as the continent braces for a rare partial solar eclipse. Pharmacies, opticians, and other retailers are reporting depleted stocks, struggling to meet a surge in demand.

“

There are now a lot of people who obviously won’t be able to get glasses.

In Spain, where parts of the country will experience the path of totality, finding safe viewing glasses has become increasingly challenging. Many distribution points have run out, including the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid, which was distributing free glasses as part of a government campaign. While some pharmacies in central Madrid still offered certified glasses for around three to four euros, an optician in Barcelona noted his store had been out of stock for ten days, leaving many unable to find them.

Doctors are emphasizing the risks of viewing the eclipse without proper protection, warning that direct exposure to the sun can cause irreversible damage to the retina. "I've been asking around since Friday, but they're nowhere to be found," one woman in Barcelona told AFP after an unsuccessful search.

“

I’ve been asking around since Friday, but they’re nowhere to be found.

The demand has "grown exponentially" across Europe. In Brussels, where approximately 90 percent of the sun will be obscured, a pastry chef managed to secure glasses for himself and friends from a small optician's store that had just received a last-minute shipment. The store manager recounted how two boxes containing 100 pairs were sold out within 30 minutes, with customers arriving by chance or word-of-mouth, while the phone rang constantly with inquiries.

“

Demand for eclipse glasses has “grown exponentially”, increasing twentyfold in recent days compared with the same period last month.

Similar scenes are playing out in France, where some pharmacies have sold out their supplies, while others are still receiving shipments but at higher prices. Customers were seen lining up outside a Paris pharmacy to purchase glasses for 5.95 euros.

“

It was this or nothing. You can’t mess around, or you’ll burn your eyes.