Knock Knock Eye: What Should You Do If You’re Pepper Sprayed At A Protest?

Knock Knock, Hi! with the Glaucomfleckens · Feb 5, 2026 · 32m

This episode is a tough one. I start by talking about the killing of Alex Preti and Renee Good in Minneapolis and why it’s been sitting so heavily with me as a physician, a parent, and a human being trying to make sense of what’s happening in this country.

Then I focus on something concrete I can do: explain what pepper spray and tear gas actually do to your eyes and how to protect yourself if you’re exposed. From corneal abrasions to scarring and vision loss, I walk through what ophthalmologists see after chemical exposure and what actually helps in the moment.

It’s a heavy episode, but it’s…