Be Wise, Not Foolish: Learn from Today's Mistakes"

 Be Wise, Not Foolish: Learn from Today's Mistakes"

Advertise with Mother Jones A juxtaposition of Donald Trump. In the first picture, Trump is seen struggling with eclipse glasses on his face. In the second image, he is pointing towards the sky. Mother Jones illustration; Andrew Harnik/AP; Ron Sachs/CNP/ZUMA

Fight disinformation: Subscribe to the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and stay informed about the news that matters. I'm still grappling with the aftermath of the Trump era, which seems to have melted my brain. Amidst the flood of absurdity that led to my condition, one particularly foolish moment stands out: former President Donald Trump's decision to glance at a solar eclipse.

As I wrote at the time, it was a quintessentially Trumpian incident that, in true fashion, defied both science and common sense from the highest seat of government, the White House. Reflecting on this moment seven years later, a peculiar connection surfaces—and I can't help but empathize. There's something relatable about the reckless curiosity with which he disregarded safety guidelines for a fleeting moment. The excitement! (Though I speak as someone who once touched a painting on a dare during a school trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.)

So, on the brink of another total eclipse, I consulted Dr. Viola Kanevsky, a respected optometrist based in New York, to ensure I had accurate information about the potential risks to my eyes, should my own mischief lead me into a very different kind of trouble.

MOTHER JONES TOP STORIES Here's what she shared regarding eye safety during Monday's solar eclipse and Trump's notorious 2017 incident.

What safety precaution do you advise people to take during Monday's solar eclipse?

Ideally, you should use solar eclipse glasses. Alternatively, you can learn how to make a pinhole camera online to indirectly view the eclipse. However, if you choose to look directly at the eclipse, you absolutely need approved eclipse glasses.

My main advice is for people to avoid direct eye contact with the sun, especially vulnerable individuals such as young children, those with lighter eye colors, or individuals who have recently undergone cataract surgery. Normally, when you look at the sun, you instinctively sneeze or close your eyes. However, during an eclipse, particularly before it's partially obstructed, the sunlight isn't bright enough to trigger that reflex. Yet, it's still intense enough to cause permanent damage to the retina.

Advertise with Mother Jones Can you explain the scientific effects on the eye when it observes an eclipse? Does the eye actually burn?

Unfortunately, retina damage doesn't cause any immediate sensation. When you pinch your skin, you feel pain because of receptors, but burning or tearing the retina is painless.

The symptoms of damage may not manifest until hours or even days later. Sunlight damages the retinal pigment epithelium, leading to swelling of the retinal layers and the release of free radicals that continue to harm the retina over time. Thus, the damage persists beyond the initial exposure. This can result in reduced vision clarity, distorted vision, or blind spots. Any of these signs should prompt an immediate visit to an optometrist.

To clarify, how soon after exposure do these symptoms typically appear?

Symptoms can appear anywhere from an hour to a week after exposure.

Advertise with Mother Jones Is the damage usually permanent?

In many cases, the damage is permanent. If the exposure was brief and mild, some cases may resolve within about six weeks, with vision returning to normal. However, visual distortions, such as waviness, may persist permanently.

I've treated patients with solar burns or holes who have 20/40, 20/80, or even worse vision, permanently. However, the worst outcome is a blind spot in the central vision, where an image is completely absent.

Are there any treatments to reverse this damage?

Unfortunately, no effective treatments exist. We've attempted steroid treatments, but prevention remains the best approach.

Given all this, what were your initial thoughts upon witnessing the President of the United States ignoring warnings not to look at the sun?

It was regrettable. Of course, I'm not aware of his ocular history. However, it sets a poor example, particularly for individuals lacking awareness or information, such as young children, who might mimic his actions, thus putting themselves at risk.

Trump looked at the eclipse in 2017, and now, seven years later, it seems his vision remains intact.

Well, I couldn't say without examining his eyes. There's no way to assess someone's vision solely by observation, especially at his age. He should ideally wear reading glasses constantly instead of squinting, which he doesn't appear to be doing.

Do you have any advice for him regarding the upcoming eclipse?

I generally refrain from giving vision advice to individuals. However, I would advise anyone, regardless of age, to undergo annual eye check-ups to ensure eye health. This is particularly crucial as people age, to detect and treat conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts—conditions that are preventable and treatable.

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Advertise with Mother Jones Great. Is there anything else we should be aware of?

For kids, I recommend reading "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain. The book features an eclipse, and knowing its date proves crucial in saving a character's life. It's an enjoyable story.

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