Sungazing

Sungazing is a practice that includes gazing at the sun for nourishment or as a spiritual practice. Looking into the sun is dangerous, and can cause solar retinopathy and lead to permanent eye damage or blindness.[1][2]

Contents

Purpose

Proponents of sungazing claim increased energy levels and decreased appetite; as with other forms of inedia, this claim is not considered credible due to the lack of scientific studies confirming it.[3][4]

Sungazing is also part of the Bates method, an alternative therapy intended to improve eyesight. Ophthalmologists do not regard the method as useful.[5]

Dangers

The practice of sungazing is dangerous. Looking directly at the sun for even brief periods of time may cause blindness or severe damage to the eye.[6] Solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina due to solar radiation,[7] and blindness to varying degrees and persistence frequently result from sungazing during a solar eclipse.[2][8] Although vision loss due to this damage is generally reversible,[7] permanent damage and loss of vision have been reported.[9] Most eye care professionals advise patients to avoid looking directly at the sun.[10] Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, produced by the sun, is associated with damage to the eye, including pterygium[11] and cataracts.[12]

At least one practitioner continued the practice despite clear evidence of eye damage.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Liberatore, Paul (2009-09-30). "Mill Valley man's film on people who stare at the sun among featured at festival". Marin Independent Journal. http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_13457606. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
  2. ^ a b Stokkermans TJ, Dunbar MT (Oct 1998). "Solar retinopathy in a hospital-based primary care clinic". J Am Optom Assoc 69 (10): 625–36. PMID 9805443. 
  3. ^ Swift online newsletter of the JREF
  4. ^ "Robert Todd Carroll". Skepdic.com. 2003-12-01. http://skepdic.com/news/newsletter34.html. Retrieved 2009-09-22. 
  5. ^ Chou, Brian (15 September 2004). "Exposing the Secrets of Fringe Eye Care". Review of Optometry 141 (9). http://www.revoptom.com/content/d/therapeutics/c/17353/. 
  6. ^ D van Norren (October 1, 1991). "Photochemical Damage to the Eye". News Physiol Sci 6 (6): 232–234. 1548-9213/91. http://physiologyonline.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/6/5/232. 
  7. ^ a b Chen JC, Lee LR (November 2004). "Solar retinopathy and associated optical coherence tomography findings" (PDF). Clin Exp Optom. 87 (6): 390–3. doi:10.1111/j.1444-0938.2004.tb03100.x. PMID 15575813. http://www.optometrists.asn.au/gui/files/ceo876390.pdf. 
  8. ^ Yannuzzi LA, Fisher YL, Krueger A, Slakter J (April 13, 1987). "Solar retinopathy: a photobiological and geophysical analysis". Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 85: 120–58. PMC 1298770. PMID 3328915. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1298770. 
  9. ^ Krasniz I, Beiran I, Miller B (1999-11-01). "Retinal lesion due to excessive exposure to sunlight". Harefuah 137 (9): 378–80, 431, 430. PMID 11419039. 
  10. ^ n/a. "Health Effects from Ultraviolet Radiation: Report of an Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation". Documents of the NRPB 13 (6). ISBN 0-85951-475-7. http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/publications/documents_of_nrpb/abstracts/absd13-1.htm. 
  11. ^ Solomon, AS (2006-06). "Pterygium". British Journal of Ophthalmology 90 (6): 665–666. doi:10.1136/bjo.2006.091413. PMC 1860212. PMID 16714259. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1860212. 
  12. ^ Neale, RE; Purdie, JL; Hirst, LW; Green, AC; JL Purdie, LW Hirst, and AC Green (2003-11). "Sun exposure as a risk factor for nuclear cataract". Epidemiology 14 (6): 707–712. doi:10.1097/01.ede.0000086881.84657.98. PMID 14569187. 

External links