Editor’s note: The video above shares how to avoid eclipse blindness.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — With just a few days until the annular solar eclipse, a number of Central Texas libraries will be handing out free eclipse glasses.
Eclipse glasses are necessary to prevent damage caused by looking at the sun, which is called eclipse blindness or solar retinopathy. The damage could heal over time, but eye damage could be permanent, optometrist Dr. Andrew Neighbors told KXAN.
The Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries program will give 5 million glasses to 10,000 libraries nationwide, including more than 20 libraries or library systems in Central Texas, according to the program website.
The Austin Public Library said on social media it has glasses available at APL locations with a limit of two glasses per person.
Here’s a list of other participating libraries in Central Texas, according to the program:
Austin Public Library, multiple branch locations
Bastrop Public Library, 1100 Church St., Bastrop
Bertram Library, 170 S. Gabriel St., Bertram
Buda Public Library, 405 Loop St., Buda
Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park
Dripping Springs Community Library, 501 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springs
East Travis Gateway Library District, 13512 FM 812, Del Valle; 5121 Albert Brown Drive, Del Valle
Florence Public Library, 207 E Main St, Florence
Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. 8th St., Georgetown
Herman Brown Free Library, 100 E. Washington St., Burnet
Johnson City Library, 501 N. Nugent Avenue, Johnson City
Lago Vista Public Library, 5803 Thunderbird St., Lago Vista
Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing Road, Austin
Lakeshore Library, 7346 RR 261, Buchanan Dam
Leander Public Library, 1011 S. Bagdad Road, Leander
Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main St., Marble Falls,
Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 Pfluger St. W., Pflugerville
Round Rock Public Library, 200 E. Liberty Ave., Round Rock
San Marcos Public Library, 625 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos
Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St, Taylor
Westbank Community Library, 1309 Westbank Drive, Austin
A map of libraries and the eclipse path is available online.
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