Solar retinopathy on sun-gazing in mania

Abstract

Solar retinopathy is a rare complication of damage to the retina due to unnatural exposure to bright light. Few cases have been reported in international literature in special groups like in children, psychiatric patients, direct gazing of solar eclipse and in certain occupations like arc welding. Of the few that are reported in mental institutions, majority had a diagnoses of schizophrenia. Along with the review of the reported cases, we report the first case of solar retinopathy in a patient who indulged in sun gazing during acute manic phase in our country.

Keywords

• bipolar disorder
• mania
• mood disorder
• photoretinitis
• solar retinopathy