Photic or solar retinitis occurs when you stare
at the sun. The refractive power of the lens of the eye
concentrates the light of the sun on the retina, stimulating the
production of free radicals, damaging photoreceptors.
Solar
retinitis may present hours-days after light exposure.
Patients will present with patchy loss of
vision without pain, since the retina has no pain
receptors.
In
one study during an eclipse in the UK, of those who initially
presented with vision loss due to solar retinitis, 92% recovered
full vision.
References:Dobson R. UK hospitals assess eye damage after
solar eclipse.BMJ :
British Medical Journal. 1999;319(7208):469.
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