Solar Retinopathy

Abstract

Solar retinopathy is a well recognized clinical entity of retinal damage caused by direct or indirect viewing of the sun. Synonymous terms includes foveomacular retinitis, eclipse retinopathy, and solar retinitis.

We are presenting this interesting case report of a middle aged male patient presented in the eye OPD with the complaints of gradual dimness of vision, metamorphopsia and scotomas.

On examination best-corrected visual acuity was OD 6/18 OS 6/24. Anterior segment examination was unremarkable in both eyes; however, metamorphopsia and paracentral scotomas were documented on Amsler’s grid in both eyes. On fundoscopy, bilateral round foveal lesions were noted.

Probing questions were asked to help determine the cause of these remarkable macular findings. The man turned out to be a ritual sun gazer and a witch doctor! The patient was advised strongly against sun gazing and was put on placebos. At the end of 6 months, Snellen’s visual acuity improved to OD 6/6 (p) OS 6/12. Metamorphopsia and scotomas persisted and no physical change in the macular lesions was detected.