ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Solar retinopathy, resulting from solar eclipse exposure, poses risks to visual health. This study explores acute and chronic phase findings using clinical examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) with a focus on longitudinal assessment. METHODS: Seven eyes with a history of unprotected solar eclipse exposure were included. Clinical examination, fundus photography, OCT, and OCT-A imaging were performed at initial assessment, as well as at one-month and six-month follow-up intervals. Data analysis included descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The cases, exposed without protection, underwent assessments, revealing variable visual acuity, outer retinal layer, and Henle fiber layer changes during follow-up. Regression of hyperreflectivity within the outer retinal and Henle fiber layers was observed over time in all eyes, although persistent microdefects within the outer retinal layer were noted in specific cases. OCT-A imaging revealed a larger foveal avascular zone, which persisted over a six-month period in select cases. Additionally, affected eyes exhibited a decrease in superficial vascular density, with subsequent improvement noted during the six-month period. CONCLUSION: Solar retinopathy can result in visual impairment, accompanied by alterations observed in the Henle fiber layer using OCT. Additionally, OCT-A findings indicate possible vascular involvement. This study underscores the significance of adopting protective measures during solar eclipses and emphasizes the value of employing longitudinal multimodal imaging techniques to comprehend the pathophysiology of the condition.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in Wuhan, China in October 2019 and spread rapidly all over the world, making extended mask use an inescapable rule of daily life. Literature data indicate that the use of face masks increases the symptoms of dry eye in addition to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye and the duration of mask use in healthy individuals using regular face masks. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients aged 20-60 years with no additional ophthalmologic pathology were included in the study. Participants were stratified by duration of face mask use: ≤6 hours/day (group 1) and >6 hours/day (group 2). The patients were assessed with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, fluorescein ocular surface staining, and tear break-up time (TBUT) to evaluate the effect of extended mask use on the ocular surface. Results: A total of 62 eyes of 35 patients, 20 women (57.1%) and 15 men (42.9%), were included in the study. The two mask use duration groups had similar OSDI values (p=0.736). When the ocular surface staining pattern was examined according to the Oxford scale, 50% (10/20) of the eyes in group 1 were assessed as stage 1 and the other 10 eyes as stage 0. In group 2, 47.6% (20/42) of the eyes were assessed as grade 1, 11.9% (5/42) as grade 2, and 4.7% (2/42) as grade 3. Conclusion: Prolonged face mask use was shown to cause decreased TBUT and increased ocular surface staining even in healthy individuals. Further studies are needed to investigate changes in the tear film after extended daily mask use.
