Solar retinopathy and foveomacular retinitis.

The visual disturbances caused by looking into the sun or a solar eclipse have been known for many years. Recently, there have been discussions about whether or not solar retinopathy is a distinct clinical entity or identical to the disease termed foveomacular retinitis. A series of 36 patients has been evaluated at Letterman Army Medical Center with the ophthalmoscopic appearance compatible with both conditions in various stages of the disease. By use of clinical history, funduscopy, visual fields, Amsler Grid, color acuity testing, color fundus photography, and fluorescein dye studies, it is our distinct impression that these two conditions are identical.