Solar Retinopathy: Symptoms and Treatment
What is Solar Retinopathy?
Solar retinopathy, also known as "eclipse blindness," is a condition that occurs when the retina of the eye is damaged by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This can happen from looking directly at the sun, viewing a solar eclipse without proper eye protection, or being exposed to other sources of bright light, such as welding equipment or laser pointers.
Symptoms of Solar Retinopathy
The symptoms of solar retinopathy can vary depending on the severity of the damage. Mild symptoms may include: * Blurry vision * Distortion of vision * Decreased color vision * Eye pain * Headaches More serious symptoms can include: * Central or paracentral blind spot in either or both eyes * Partial or total loss of vision in one or both eyes * Seeing unnaturally colored objects or seeing normally colorless objects in color
Treatment for Solar Retinopathy
There is no specific treatment for solar retinopathy, but the symptoms usually improve on their own within a few days or weeks. In some cases, permanent vision loss may occur. To prevent solar retinopathy, it is important to wear proper eye protection when exposed to bright light. This includes sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays, as well as special eclipse glasses when viewing a solar eclipse.
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