Long-term sequelae of photic eye injury from a solar eclipse

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Science
• Toxicology

Background:

• Photic ocular injuries result from light-induced toxic effects on the eye, especially the retina.
• Solar retinopathy, a type of photic injury, can cause severe and irreversible macular damage.
• These injuries stem from photochemical, photomechanical, and photothermal reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report cases of photic macular injury in children who observed a solar eclipse without protection.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for foveal lesions.
• To discuss the prognosis and management of solar retinopathy.

Main Methods:

• Case report of two patients with childhood photic macular injury.
• Ophthalmic examination including OCT for diagnosis of retinal lesions.
• Literature review on photic retinopathy, solar retinopathy, and macular injuries.

Main Results:

• The reported patients developed macular lesions consistent with photic injury after solar eclipse viewing.
• OCT imaging confirmed foveal lesions, aiding in diagnosis.
• While visual prognosis is often favorable, permanent visual acuity decrease can occur.

Conclusions:

• Photic macular injuries from solar eclipses can lead to irreversible retinal damage.
• OCT is a valuable tool for diagnosing these foveal lesions.
• Prevention and public education are paramount, as management remains empirical.