Solar Retinopathy Secondary to Solar Eclipse Gazing: A Case Report from Nepal
Keshav Acharya1* and Janak Poudel2
1Consultant Optometrist, B. Optom, Metro Eye Care, Kathmandu, Nepal
2Consultant Optometrist, B. Optom, Medical Genetics and Genetic Counsellor, Kriti Eye Care, Kathmandu, Nepal
*Corresponding Author: Keshav Acharya, Consultant Optometrist, B. Optom, Metro Eye Care, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Received:
December 23, 2021; Published: February 09, 2022
Abstract
Solar retinopathy is a photochemical damage to the retina, generally due to direct or indirect solar observation or during eclipse. We document the case of a solar retinopathy in a 19-year-old male who presented with the complaint of blurring of central vision in both eyes since a day after the solar eclipse dated 26th December 2019 (Annular Eclipse). He had a history of gazing solar eclipse through the reflecting plain mirror for about one minute.
During examination, his visual acuity was reduced to 6/12 bilaterally and the fundus examination revealed discrete yellow lesions at each maculae. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) shows RPE defects at both fovea, which shows the signs of improvement and only a few changes to normal after a certain month. The symptoms were reduced and patient had no complaints when he appeared to our clinic one month later. Thus, we should make everyone aware about using goggles/ eye protection during sun exposure to reduce the risk which is highly susceptible to retinal damage, which turned into probably the case for this patient.
Keywords: Visual Acuity (VA); Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT); Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE); Solar Retinopathy
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