Hunt for eclipse glasses continues in Delaware Valley

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Great American Eclipse gets underway Monday afternoon, and the rush continues to find the protective glasses needed to safely gaze at the heavenly event.

Even though we've known the eclipse has been coming for a long time, it seems as if like many things in life, so many have waited until the last minute to get proper viewing glasses.

As Kim Grigorian from Coatsville put it, "I called everywhere! I'm a procrastinator so I'm very very happy."

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She was one of the many people who came into Main Line Optical in Ardmore, Montgomery County Saturday to get her family's glasses.

Richard Boehm, owner of Main Line Optical, says it's a very bad idea to gaze at the eclipse without the glasses.

"It's very damaging. People don't realize it can happen years later that the damage comes out," Boehm said.

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He says his phone has been ringing off the hook.

They had 500 pairs available Saturday morning, but it did not take long for all to be accounted for.

The glasses block out 99.99 percent of the light.

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At the Philadelphia Zoo, where they were also handing out solar eclipse glasses, the line was very long.

Michael DePalma of Doylestown, the first man in line, said seeing something like this is special.

"I got to see one in 1979 and it was a wonderful thing," DePalma said.

That's why he was running on a little less sleep than usual.

"Got one hour of sleep, and I've been here like since 6:10 a.m.," DePalma said.

For Neil Rawlerson of Germantown, scoring a set of glasses for his two kids is even more special.

"Today is actually my birthday, and I thought it would be befitting for me to do something for my family since they do so much for me," Rawlerson said.

But again, if you can't find the glasses, do not look directly at the eclipse because it can really damage your eyes.

For a list of the approved glasses, visit: http://eclipse.aas.org/.

For more information on the upcoming solar eclipse, visit: http://6abc.com/eclipse/

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