04/17/2024

Solar Eclipse Efforts

The OOA worked to educate Ohioans about eye safety for the recent Solar Eclipse 

In preparation for the solar eclipse, the OOA team came together to provide tremendous resources. The Realeyes team including interns, Josh Corll, Tasnime Miari and Bri Ridenour created top-notch worksheets for schools as the eclipse approached. 

Dr. Jeff Walline, acting Dean of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, recorded a presentation over Zoom to distribute to schools. If you missed the presentation, it can still be viewed at  Eclipse Safety With Dean Jeff Walline. 

Six member ODs including Dr. Katie Greiner, Dr. Zach Jacoby, Dr. Beth Muckley, Dr. Lauren Schneider and Dean Jeff Walline, hosted Q&A times for schools over Zoom. This teamwork paid off. Between February 22nd and the time the eclipse occurred, the Realeyes team and volunteer ODs reached: 

• 93,124 Students 
• 4,284 classrooms 
• 342 locations 
• 85 NEW to Realeyes schools. 

The program has never had a response like this in such a brief time, even in the first two months of the pandemic in 2020, when Realeyes provided pre-recorded materials to schools! 

The OOA also created a webpage with a wealth of safety information and recommendations, which included links to trusted solar viewer manufacturers, resources, videos about the eclipse as well as a downloadable PDF which explained where the eclipse would take place and critical eye safety recommendations. A media advisory was sent to all print and tv outlets throughout the state, and an informational email was sent to state legislators. Dr. Elizabeth Muckley, OOA CEO & Executive Director, Dr. Lindsay Florkey, OOA President and Dean Jeff Walline gave interviews to educate and promote eye safety. 

• The media coverage garnered 17 news media hits including stories in The Toledo Blade, The Columbus Dispatch, The Lima News and multiple television interviews. 
• The OOA eclipse website page (that is hidden now but can still be viewed at: www.ooa.org/solareclipse) had over 5,000 hits.
• The PDF from the OOA was downloaded 663 times.