As North America anticipates the total solar eclipse, set to occur on Monday and span Mexico, the US, and Canada, concerns about the risk of eye damage associated with improper viewing of the celestial event have emerged. Drawing on experiences from the 2017 solar eclipse, during which hospitals prepared for an influx of patients with potential eye injuries from the eclipse, the medical community has been vocal about the dangers of viewing the eclipse without adequate protection. Symptoms of eye damage from direct sunlight exposure can include blurred vision and sensitivity to light, with experts emphasizing the importance of wearing proper eye protection and consulting medical professionals if symptoms arise.

In a notable incident from 2017, former President Donald Trump was observed looking directly at the solar eclipse without protective eyewear, alongside Melania Trump and their son Barron, from the White House’s Truman balcony. This moment, captured in a widely circulated video, has resurfaced in discussions as the forthcoming eclipse approaches, highlighting the essential nature of adhering to safety recommendations during such events. The duration of the upcoming eclipse is expected to be four minutes and 28 seconds, offering a significant spectacle for those across the affected regions, provided they take the necessary precautions to protect their eyesight.