Solar Eclipse Retinopathy; an Underemphasized Public Eye Health Concern?

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the impact of public eye health campaigns on people's attitudes during the solar eclipse. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients with solar eclipse retinopathy. Hazard awareness, source of information, and types of self-proclaimed safety measures were analyzed. It was a multicenter study conducted at Ophthalmology departments of different hospitals of Faisalabad, Gilgit, Sialkot and Dera Ismail Khan for one month from July 2020 to August 2020. Results: Data of a total of 31 patients were analyzed. Twenty-two (71%) patients had hazard awareness either from the internet or mainstream media, while 9 (29%) had no understanding of eclipse viewing hazards. Eleven patients had some idea about appropriate eclipse viewing glasses while none used them. Thirteen (42%) patients didn't use any protective measures, while the rest either used radiographic films or sunglasses (SG). Knowledge, availability and affordability were significant barriers towards using standard safety wear. There was no difference among patients who viewed the eclipse with the naked eye or with sunglasses and radiographic films in terms of initial and final visual outcomes. Conclusions: Most patients are aware of potential visual hazards from viewing solar eclipse; however, they are not well educated about appropriate ocular safety wear for viewing a solar eclipse. Keywords: Solar eclipse, Retinopathy, Health concern