Just days before the partial solar eclipse, citizens are facing a chronic shortage of protective glasses. On Reddit, memories of 1999, when they were sold at every newsstand, are resurfacing.
On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, just before the end of the day, all parts of Croatia will be able to witness a partial solar eclipse. In the west of the country, the Moon will cover more than 90 percent of the Sun's diameter, but instead of excitement, many are gripped by panic due to the inability to procure essential protective equipment.
The avalanche of comments on Reddit was triggered by user u/-Venser- with a simple question about where to buy special eclipse glasses. He rightly noted the drastic difference compared to 1999, when Croatia witnessed a total solar eclipse.
"I expected it to be the same this time, so I wasn't too worried about getting them, but as far as I can see, they're not sold anywhere. Now it's too late to order them from abroad," wrote the Reddit post's author.
The post took many back in time, and comments quickly filled with nostalgia for the last major solar spectacle. "That's why I kept mine from '99," wittily remarked one of the most popular Reddit commenters.
Others recalled unusual yet highly dangerous ways of observing the eclipse. Mentions included looking through welding glasses, old X-ray films, and even magnetic disks from floppy drives. "We watched through X-ray films... but now there's none of that left, everything's on CD," recalled one Reddit user.
However, warnings soon followed. Many users emphasized that such improvisations are not safe. According to experts, neither regular sunglasses, nor welding masks (except those with a special DIN 14 filter), nor any other household item can provide adequate protection against harmful radiation that can cause permanent eye damage.
Frustration over the lack of glasses runs through the entire discussion. "But where can I buy them, help me people," cried out one Reddit user. Although there are specialized stores, many seem to have empty shelves or are closed during the summer holidays.
Some attributed this to different times. "1999 was such a different time... It was a spectacular event when not everything was on the internet... Now nobody really cares," one Reddit commenter opined. Others believe that interest is clearly lower, making it unprofitable for retailers to stock a product used only once.
A safe alternative is the projection method, known as the "pinhole" projector, which several knowledgeable users recommended as a simple and safe solution. For those who haven't secured certified glasses, the remaining options are watching live streams or using safe projection methods.
