Solar maculopathy. Results of five years of follow-up

Aim. To investigate the clinical features of solar maculopathy in a long run by optical coherence tomography.Methods. 31 patients (40 eyes) complaining on scotoma appeared after sun gazing without protection were referred to an advisory clinic of Republican Clinical Hospital of Ophtalmology, Kazan. The mean age of patients was 25.2 years, mean visual acuity - 0.72. In addition to the standard examinations, all patients underwent optical coherence tomography. The patients were followed up for up to 5 years. The examinations were performed before the treatment initiation and repeated on the 15th, 30th and 90th day after the treatment completion. 7 patients (8 eyes) were followed up for 5 years.Results. According to the results of optical coherence tomography, focal retinal edema was found in 9 patients (18 eyes) at the first week. Patients received antioedematic drugs and antioxidants. According to the results of optical coherence tomography a lamellar defect has been formed in fovea centralis on 15th day of treatment. Mean visual acuity improved to 0.78. On 30th and 90th days of treatment, lamellar defect persisted, visual acuity remained unchanged. After 5 years, 7 patients (8 eyes) were re-examined. The mean visual acuity was 0.78, the lamellar defect was still observed by optical coherence tomography. No macular degenerative and dystrophic changes were observed in followed up patients.Conclusion. Sunlight causes permanent damage of the retina. In the first week after the sunburn, marked focal retinal edema in the foveolar area was observed on the tomography, with further formation of a lamellar defect that was not accompanied by degenerative changes in the long-term period. Optical coherence tomography is an informative method of diagnosing solar maculopathy.