The solar eclipse is coming a lot sooner than you think, and one of the main necessities for watching it are solar eclipse glasses. Though they look like outdated 3D glasses with the red and blue lenses, these glasses are supposed to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun. If you put them on, you can literally see nothing through them until you look straight at a light or the sun where you will see the clear shape without damaging your eyes.

If you do stare at the sun without any protection, you are likely to suffer from a condition called solar retinopathy. This condition is caused by high exposure to light that will damage your retina and cause blurry vision.

If you waited until the last minute to get your glasses, you might realize that getting them is a lot harder than you thought. Actually, almost impossible.

Several locations were giving out the glasses for free. However, due to the high demand, many places have already run out of glasses.

All the Jacksonville Public libraries and museums, like the Museum of Science and History, have already given out their eclipse glasses. Bowden Eye and Associates ran out of glasses at all four of their locations. Action News Jax also ran out of glasses to give.

Even places that sell the glasses like Best Buy and Kirklands are out of stock. Online retailers Ebay and Amazon have the glasses available, but do you trust them to send your package in time? Also, the prices are extremely high. On Amazon, a 5 pack of International Standards Organization certified solar eclipse shades cost almost $100. You can also try your luck and try any of the retailers listed here.

Yet, there is still hope for watching the eclipse without burning your eyes.

The Astronomy Club and Physics Club will also be handing out solar eclipse glasses at the Solar Eclipse Party at the Coxwell Amphitheater on Monday. The party starts at 1:30 p.m., but you should go early to get a pair.

If worst comes to worst and you can’t get yourself a pair of solar eclipse glasses, you could always make your own solar viewers with a cereal box.

Remember, you can’t use regular sunglasses for the eclipse.

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