Buzz
It’s surprising that I need to explain this, but here we are. If you’re on the West Coast or in another area with a similarly dystopian atmosphere—I must admit, the surreal orange skies have a certain allure—you might have noticed that the sun appears unusual due to the particles in the air (or whatever else is happening in your region). Maybe it’s a deep red, reminiscent of your favorite Star Wars scene. It might even seem less harsh to the eyes.
Do not look at it. Never look directly at the sun.
Here’s the reality. Many people mistakenly believe that the sun’s intensity is solely responsible for causing irreversible harm to your eyes if you stare at it. (For those curious, this condition is called “solar retinopathy,” though I wouldn’t recommend searching for images of it if you want to keep your day pleasant.)
They are mistaken. In fact, the sun’s intense brightness—a natural feature designed to deter prolonged staring—isn’t the main issue. The real danger lies in ultraviolet light, which harms your eyes regardless of weather conditions. Whether it’s cloudy, smoky, or engulfed in flames, UV light remains harmful. Even if the sun’s brightness feels tolerable, staring directly at it is never a good idea.
As Global News highlighted in 2018:
While smoke particles may reduce the sun’s brightness, experts confirm that ultraviolet light remains unchanged.
“It can damage both the front and back of the eye,” explained optometrist Navroza Walji. “On the front, it can harm the white part of the eye and cause bumps. On the back, it can lead to macular degeneration and even cataracts.”
Need further convincing? It’s the sun, after all. You wouldn’t stare at it on a cloudy day or during an eclipse—because you’re sensible—so there’s no reason to attempt it at any other time without adequate protection.
Even if your surroundings resemble Dune, avoid staring at the sun—and especially avoid looking at it through a camera viewfinder while attempting to capture the perfect shot of the apocalyptic scene. Just leave the sun alone.
