Solar retinopathy, due to macular exposure to solar radiation, is mediated by photochemical and thermal mechanisms. We describe the optical coherence tomography and the fundus-related perimetry findings of the disease.

We performed a complete ophthalmological examination in 3 patients affected by solar retinopathy, including optical coherence tomography (OCT 3) and the fundus-related perimetry (FRP) after solar exposure, up to 18 months after diagnosis.

On initial visit, the optical coherence tomography scans revealed an irregular inner high-reflective layer that appeared fragmented in 2 patients and interrupted in 1 patient. In addition, OCT3 showed a hyperreflective lesion, which, in 1 patient, involved the full foveal thickness, and in 2 patients was confined to the outer half of the foveal layers. In 2 patients there was an associated reduced reflectivity of the outer high-reflective layer. These OCT3 signs disappeared as early as one month follow-up. Fundus-related perimetry (FRP) demonstrated, at the first visit, a significant reduction of retinal sensitivity in all patients, which was no longer evident at one-month follow-up.

OCT3 was very successful in detecting the alteration of inner high-reflective layer, corresponding to the yellowish-white spot seen on ophthalmoscopy. FRP demonstrated the recovery of retinal sensitivity at one-month follow-up.

OCT3 is an effective tool in diagnosing solar retinopathy and in differentiating it from other maculopathies. FRP seems to be a useful adjunctive method to better characterize the functional aspect of the disease.