CORNING, N.Y. (WENY)-- The Twin Tiers is only weeks away from an eclipse that is being called a once in a lifetime experience. But planning ahead is key, because viewing the eclipse with regular sunglasses can leave you with permanent eye damage.

''Sunglasses are designed to allow 15 to 20 percent of visible light through. A pair of eclipse glasses only allow 0.0001% of light through. Eclipse glasses are so much more effective as they do not allow as much light in which destroys the retina,'' said Martin Ennulat, optician and owner of Glaswerk Optical in Corning.                                                                                                                                          
Sunlight is more complex than it looks, with more wavelengths to it than the visible and ultraviolet. Eclipse glasses are far more effective at blocking light coming in from other wavelengths.

''Our eyeball is an optical system, which focuses light into one spot in the retina. If that energy is to be concentrated on one spot, it would fry the retina,'' Martin Ennulat. 

The retina converts light that enters into your eye into electrical signals. The optic nerve sends these signals to our brain, creating images we see. 

When we look the eclipse with unprotected glasses, the light focuses in one spot, causing the retina to be fried. This same concept us applied when magnifying glass is placed under the sun. 

''These could lead to temporary or permanent vision impairment, or even total blindness. It very important that we heed all the warnings and do not try to look at it with your naked eye. Definitely, order the glasses or get what is recommended to be able to look at it,'' said Martin Ennulat. 

When buying eclipse glasses, it is important that you check to see if they are ISO certified, meaning they meet the International Safety Standards for viewing the sun. It is always remember that prevention is better than cure. 

There are fake eclipse glasses out there, which could be dangerous in the long run. Here is a link to identify a real from a fake eclipse glasses.