[Eclipse retinopathy : A case series after the partial solar eclipse on 20 March 2015].
BACKGROUND
Solar retinopathy refers to damage to the central macula caused by exposure to intense solar radiation, most frequently observed after a solar eclipse.


OBJECTIVE
Description of the morphological changes in spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and the clinical course in patients with acute solar retinopathy.


METHODS
The study included a retrospective analysis of 12 eyes from 7 patients with solar retinopathy after the partial solar eclipse on 20 March 2015. Best corrected visual acuity, fundus changes and SD-OCT findings were analyzed. Out of the 7 patients 5 underwent treatment with 1 mg prednisolone per kg body weight.


RESULTS
The average age of the patients was 30.1±13.1 years. Best corrected visual acuity was 0.65 at initial presentation. In the acute stage all affected eyes showed a small yellowish lesion in the centre of the fovea in the fundoscopic examination. In SD-OCT the continuity of all layers in the foveola appeared disrupted. In the follow-up examination these changes were partially resolved. After 2 months SD-OCT revealed a small defect of the ellipsoid zone. In one patient the defect could not be shown due to slightly excentric imaging sections. Best corrected visual acuity increased to 0.97.


CONCLUSIONS
The SD-OCT is an appropriate tool to determine the exact localization of the site of damage and for follow-up examination in solar retinopathy. In the acute phase it shows a disruption of the continuity of all layers in the foveola. Despite good recovery of visual acuity a small central defect of the ellipsoid zone remains in the long term.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland. isabel.bachmeier@ukr.de.
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Bachmeier
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland.
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Helbig
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland.
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Greslechner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
Corticosteroid treatment; Macula; Optical coherence tomography; Solar retinopathy; Visual loss