by Cynthia Floyd Manley
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has determined that eclipse-viewing glasses purchased from a local vendor and previously distributed to the public may not meet the highest safety standards and should not be used to view the eclipse.
The glasses in question have solid white paper frames and include the Vanderbilt Health logo on both temples of the frames.
Approximately 8,000 pairs of these glasses were distributed over last weekend at the Williamson County Fair.
The recalled glasses were purchased through a third-party vendor and included documentation that they had been tested and met safe-viewing standards.
However, the manufacturer of the glasses purchased by VUMC was unable to verify that it had produced the glasses. Consequently, VUMC chose to recall and replace the glasses.
VUMC has purchased a new supply of eclipse-viewing glasses directly from American Paper Optics (APO), a Bartlett, Tennessee, manufacturer listed by NASA and the American Astronomical Society as a reputable dealer of eclipse-viewing glasses.
Members of the VUMC community who may have received a pair of the recalled all-white eclipse-viewing glasses with the Vanderbilt Health logo at the Williamson County Fair, or through other means, should not use them to view the eclipse.
Instead, employees may exchange the white glasses for a new pair, or get a first pair without exchange, during today’s Farmers’ Market at the Health Plus table, while supplies last. On Friday, employees can exchange white eclipse glasses at the Human Resources Employee Service Center windows located in the lobby of Medical Center North from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and at 2525 West End Ave. between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., while supplies last.
Exchanges can also be made through Vanderbilt Health Walk-In Clinic locations beginning at noon Thursday, Aug. 17 through 10 a.m. on Monday morning, Aug. 21, or until the supply has been exhausted, whichever occurs earlier.
Walk-In Clinic locations where white eclipse glasses can be exchanged:
- Brentwood, 134 Pewitt Drive, Suite 200
- Cool Springs, 1834 McEwen Drive
- Franklin, 919 Murfreesboro Road (Hwy. 96)
- Belle Meade, 4534 Harding Pike
- Spring Hill, 3908 Campbell Parkway, Suite 100
Exchanges can be made at the Walk-In Clinics during the following hours:
- Thursday, Aug. 17, noon-7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 18, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 21, 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m.
Eclipse glasses with multi-colored frames that carry the Vanderbilt Health logo and the words “Vanderbilt Eye Institute” were obtained through a different vendor and are not recalled.
Eclipse glasses with multi-colored frames that carry the Vanderbilt University and Dyer Observatory logos are also not recalled.
APO offers this information determining whether your eclipse glasses are safe: https://www.eclipseglasses.com/pages/safety
Questions about the eclipse glasses recall can be directed to (615) 380-7999.
For additional information and tips on eclipse viewing safety, please visit www.vanderbilthealth.com/eclipseglasses
