Solar retinopathy

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Solar retinopathy is damage to the eye's retina, particularly the macula, from prolonged exposure to solar radiation. It usually occurs due to staring at the sun or viewing a solar eclipse[1][2].

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[edit] Pathophysiology

Although it is frequently claimed that the retina is burned by looking at the sun, retinal damage appears to occur primarily due to photochemical injury rather than thermal injury [2][3][4].

[edit] Signs and symptoms

Vision loss due to solar retinopathy is typically reversible[2], lasting for as short as one month [5] to over one year [6].

[edit] Epidemiology

In a 1998 review of 26 patients with solar retinopathy, 60% reported a history of sungazing [7].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Midwest Eye Care, P.C."Solar retinopathy".
  2. ^ a b c Chen JC, Lee LR. "Solar retinopathy and associated optical coherence tomography findings." Clin Exp Optom. 2004 Nov;87(6):390-3. PMID 15575813
  3. ^ Dobson R. "UK hospitals assess eye damage after solar eclipse." BMJ. 1999 Aug 21;319(7208):469. PMID 10454393.
  4. ^ Hunyor AB. "Solar retinopathy: its significance for the ageing eye and the younger pseudophakic patient." Aust N Z J Ophthalmol. 1987 Nov;15(4):371-5. PMID 3435680.
  5. ^ a b c Sefic-Kasumovic S, Firdus H, Alimanovic E, Ljaljevic S, Sefic M. "[Eye injuries caused by an eclipse of the sun]." Med Arh. 2000;54(1):41-4. PMID 10872275
  6. ^ a b c Kallmark FP, Ygge J. "Photo-induced foveal injury after viewing a solar eclipse." Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2005 Oct;83(5):586-9. PMID 16187997
  7. ^ Stokkermans TJ, Dunbar MT. "Solar retinopathy in a hospital-based primary care clinic." J Am Optom Assoc. 1998 Oct;69(10):625-36. PMID 9805443

[edit] See also