The appearance of French President Emmanuel Macron wearing sunglasses during his official and field tours in Damascus prompted observers to question the nature of this unusual protocol in diplomatic encounters.
In this regard, sources close to the French presidential delegation clarified that Macron's wearing of sunglasses carries no political significance or symbolic message, but is instead for purely medical reasons. According to reports, the French president has for some time been suffering from a minor medical condition known as a "subconjunctival haemorrhage" — a small tear in a tiny blood vessel in the eye that causes redness and makes the eye more sensitive to light and glare.
Macron's appearance in sunglasses in Damascus was not the first such occasion; cameras have documented him wearing them at several official international and domestic events in recent months of 2026. He was seen wearing them while receiving Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman, at the Élysée Palace, and they also drew attention during his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year — confirming that they represent an ongoing therapeutic measure he has adopted on medical advice to shield his eyes from strong lighting.
Medical reports accompanying the president confirm that the condition is harmless, does not affect vision or general health, and resolves spontaneously over time. Presidential circles also stressed that this temporary health issue has in no way affected the president's schedule or his level of concentration and efficiency in managing the intensive official talks he conducted during the visit.
Although the scene was out of keeping with the norms of formal diplomatic protocol, the French presidency's candour in explaining the reason has closed the door on any political interpretations or inaccurate speculation about "secrets" behind the appearance.