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Photochemical and thermal damage to the macula, the center of the retina, caused by prolonged, direct, unprotected viewing of intense light, most commonly the sun (e.g., during an eclipse or intentional sun-gazing).
read more about solar retinopathy ...The eye's lens focuses solar radiation (mostly blue light and near-infrared) onto the macula. This causes oxidative stress and damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors.
Symptoms, which can be delayed for hours, include reduced central vision, a central blind spot (scotoma), and distortion (metamorphopsia). The condition is usually painless.
In many cases, the vision partially or fully recovers over several weeks or months, but some patients are left with permanent visual acuity deficits.
No. Mild cases often resolve completely. The degree of permanent damage depends on the duration and intensity of the sun exposure.
The macula is affected because the optics of the eye naturally focus the incoming light to this single point on the retina, concentrating the energy.
Yes. Looking at the sun through certain magnifying devices (telescopes, binoculars, or single-lens reflex camera viewfinders) is extremely dangerous as the magnification concentrates the solar energy even more.