Marine Tondelier criticizes lack of eclipse eye protection

French presidential candidate Marine Tondelier has criticized the government for a lack of widespread distribution of protective eyewear ahead of a near-total solar eclipse. Tondelier described the situation as a “public health fiasco,” noting that observing the eclipse without specialized glasses can cause permanent retinal damage.

Critics pointed to the 1999 solar eclipse as a comparison, during which the government launched a massive information campaign and distributed millions of approved glasses. In contrast, current reports indicate that protective eyewear is often out of stock in pharmacies and opticians, or must be purchased by individuals.

Nathalie Arthaud of the Lutte ouvrière party also expressed indignation, contrasting the free distribution seen in 1999 with the current requirement for citizens to pay for their own protection. While some debate whether the state is responsible for providing such equipment during a rare astronomical event, concerns remain regarding potential eye injuries among the population.