How is looking at a Solar Eclipse different from looking at the sun?

Question

I can usually see the sun with no problem with my sun glasses on and if it's near the side of my point of view. Is there any difference in seeing the Solar Eclipse in that same way?

Answer 1

Looking directly at the sun is always dangerous, but most people are only dumb enough to do it during an eclipse. The only time when looking at an eclipse is more dangerous than looking at the sun is the last second of totality. During totality, you pupils dilate; so when the first thin sliver of the sun reappears, you see it with pupils wide open. That's when most eye injuries occur during an eclipse.  

Answer 2

It is dangerous to look at the sun directly with or without sunglasses.

NASA advises only looking directly during a total eclipse, but I would even be cautious about that as you would need to be sure that it was absolutely total.

You can however watch the whole thing on NASA-TV without any danger and wherever you are in the world!