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Editor,—Visual deterioration caused by watching a solar eclipse has been recognised from the time of Plato. The aetiology of solar retinopathy has been attributed to photochemical effects, which may be enhanced by elevated tissue temperature.1Typically, a small yellow spot may be noted in the foveolar area immediately after exposure. Histopathological studies of solar retinal lesions revealed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor damage.1 2 We present two patients with acute, severe solar retinopathy after observation of the total eclipse on 11 August 1999. Funduscopic findings were accompanied by optical coherence tomography (OCT) investigation of the macula.
CASE REPORTS
Case 1
An 18 year old man presented 24 hours after watching the total eclipse without appropriate protection. Total exposure time was approximately 20 minutes. During direct viewing the patient kept his right eye closed. One hour after observation he noted blurred vision and a central scotoma on the left …