Shoppers across the UK are struggling to find safety-approved eclipse glasses ahead of Wednesday's solar eclipse, the country's most significant since 1999, as retailers report stock selling out amid a surge in demand. Health officials have warned that people must not look directly at the sun without proper protection, as even brief exposure can cause lasting eye damage, prompting a last-minute scramble that has seen customers queuing at unlikely outlets such as bakeries.

Around 90% of the sun is expected to be obscured by the moon, and officials advise that glasses must carry the international safety standard ISO 12312-2 and be free from scratches or damage. Even Royal Museums Greenwich, recommended by the UK Health Security Agency as a reputable retailer, has sold out due to "unprecedented" order volumes, while experts warn against buying unverified glasses online. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists noted around 70 cases of vision problems after the 1999 eclipse, and its president warned that eye damage often goes unnoticed as the retina has no pain receptors; the safest alternative is watching indirectly via livestream or broadcast.