Eclipse glasses sold at Oak Brook Library recalled

OAK BROOK, Ill. (WLS) -- The Oak Brook Library is warning patrons who bought eclipse viewing glasses from them that some of the eyewear has been recalled for possibly being unsafe.

The glasses are in high demand, so when patrons of the Oak Brook library were told they could buy one for a dollar, many jumped at the chance. But now they're being told don't wear them.

The glasses were sold by Amazon for Monday's eclipse.

"I feel bad for Amazon, bad for those who bought it and now have to go through the process of returning everything," said Vaiva Cyvas, patron.

The library had purchased the glasses from Amazon and sold them to patrons for $1, thinking they were just like legitimate solar eclipse glasses that offer 100,000 times the protection of ordinary sunglasses, which are necessary for the highly-anticipated solar eclipse.

But now, Amazon is recalling certain brands, saying they failed to offer proof of their protection.

"A lot of people bought it and didn't, weren't aware that they were fraudulent until Amazon did some more research, did some due diligence and realized they were fake glasses," said Steve Bernas, Better Business Bureau.

The library said it sold 50 pairs of glasses that have since been recalled.

For weeks, the BBB has been warning of knock-off glasses that have flooded the market because of high demand. There's even a secondary market on Craigslist. Some glasses in the Chicago area are selling for as much as $75.

"You've got to know and trust who you're buying from and make certain that they're pre-approved glasses from certain manufacturers," Bernas said.

Amazon has emailed those customers impacted by the recall, so check your inbox.

The American Astronomical Society has listed the following brands as verified to be safe:

American Paper Optics (Eclipser) / EclipseGlasses.com / 3dglassesonline.com

APM Telescopes (Sunfilter Glasses)

Baader Planetarium (AstroSolar Silver/Gold Film)

Celestron (EclipSmart Glasses & Viewers)

DayStar (Solar Glasses)

Explore Scientific (Solar Eclipse Sun Catcher Glasses)

Halo Solar Eclipse Spectacles

Lunt Solar Systems (SUNsafe SUNglasses)

Meade Instruments (EclipseView Glasses & Viewers)

Rainbow Symphony (Eclipse Shades)

Seymour Solar (Helios Glasses)

Solar Eclipse International / Cangnan County Qiwei Craft Co. (plastic glasses only)

Thousand Oaks Optical (Silver-Black Polymer & SolarLite)

TSE 17 / 110th.de (Solar Filter Foil)

NASA has also released a guide on eclipse safety here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety