Solar retinopathy is a condition that results from retinal and macular damage due to direct exposure to sunlight and/or other light radiant energy. It is also known as photic retinopathy, foveomacular retinitis, solar retinitis, and eclipse retinopathy. The following are some details about solar retinopathy:
Positive:
- Solar retinopathy has a good prognosis.
- Diagnosis is made based on history and examination findings including physical/biomicroscopic examination of the fundus, as well as diagnostic imaging, such as FA, OCT, or fundus autofluorescence.
Negative:
- No known beneficial treatment exists for solar retinopathy.
- Solar retinopathy chiefly is caused by photochemical effects.
Ingredients or materials:
- Certain geophysical changes present during a solar eclipse were investigated as possible risk factors in the pathogenesis of retinal damage present in solar retinopathy.
- Filters for direct observation of the Sun attenuate solar UV radiation to a level well below the minimum permissible occupational exposure for UVA, so an aphakic observer is at no additional risk of retinal damage when looking at the Sun through a proper solar filter.
The mainstay of therapy for solar retinopathy is prevention. Primary prevention of solar retinopathy includes refraining from direct sungazing or eclipse viewing.
