Solar maculopathy: prognosis over one year follow up

Abstract

Background To document the visual acuity, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings and prognosis in10 eyes of 6 patients with foveal damage from solar retinopathy in 1 year. Methods This was a prospective, observational case series of patients presented by solar maculopathy at Ophthalmology department, Sohag University. All patients underwent visual acuity (VA) testing, refraction, dilated fundus examination fluorescein angiography (FA) and SD-OCT (spectral Domain ocular coherence Tomography) imaging and follow up for 1 year. Results The mean age was 16.5 years (range 9–27 years, both eyes are affected in 4 patients. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was – 0.25 ± 0.50 D. The visual acuity of the affected eyes ranged from 0.4 to 0.9 on presentation. At presentation Significant foveal pathology was identified on SD-OCT in 10 eyes, All eyes showed disruption of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone and the interdigitation zone on SD-OCT, Follow up of the cases continued for 1 year.100% of cases showed improvement in VA: 20% eyes regained 1, 50% eyes with VA of 0.9; two eyes 20% 0.8 and one eyes (10%) with 0.4. The improvement began after 1 week and reached its maximum and became stationary after the 6th month of follow up, the outer retinal hole persist in OCT in 80% of cases. Conclusion Solar maculopathy has a good prognosis yet shows no improvement after 6 months. Young age might pose as a risk factor.

Laser Pointer Retinopathy: A Case Report and Review

“…Solar maculopathy/eclipse maculopathy: Solar maculopathy and eclipse maculopathy are both conditions that are a direct consequence of viewing the sun with retinal damage resulting in as little as one to a few minutes of extending viewing. 1,17,18 This results in a retinal appearance and signs and symptoms that are like laser pointer maculopathy. The condition usually occurs more so during extended viewing of solar eclipses.…”

The eye in extreme environments

“…ganglion cells, Müller cells, amacrine cells and bipolar cells) are mostly transparent and resilient to photoxicity (Hunter et al., 2012), whereas rods and cones, which need to absorb photons as the first step of the ‘seeing’ process, are most susceptible to photochemical damage. Solar maculopathy can result from a single or repeated unprotected exposures to bright sunlight, and the degree of photochemical damage depends on the intensity and duration of the exposure, with younger individuals being more susceptible (Abdellah, Mostafa, Anber, El Saman, & Eldawla, 2019). In most cases, the mean best corrected visual activity returns towards normal values within 6 months (Abdellah et al., 2019), despite persistent disruption of the outer retinal layers.…”

“…Solar maculopathy can result from a single or repeated unprotected exposures to bright sunlight, and the degree of photochemical damage depends on the intensity and duration of the exposure, with younger individuals being more susceptible (Abdellah, Mostafa, Anber, El Saman, & Eldawla, 2019). In most cases, the mean best corrected visual activity returns towards normal values within 6 months (Abdellah et al., 2019), despite persistent disruption of the outer retinal layers.…”

Solar Eclipse Retinopathy; an Underemphasized Public Eye Health Concern?

“…Nonetheless, in most cases visual function improves to near normal; some experience small, permanent, central or paracentral scotomas. [9,12,15,11,14] Some authors have described visual and anatomical restoration with systemic corticosteroids. [16,17] Interestingly, some cases developed central serous chorioretinopathy after treatment with corticosteroids.…”