Looking directly at the sun is an obvious no.
But experts warn that even staring at the glow on your phone’s screen for too long can damage your eyes.
Attacked by the strong reflection of the sun, two patients suffered retinal damage.
Both were sure they were not looking directly at the sun, which led doctors to conclude that the cause was glare from their devices.
A 30-year-old man, who spent four hours reading his tablet on the terrace of a ski resort, suffered from visual impairment and had trouble seeing distant objects. Over time, the problems were resolved.
Another patient, a 20-year-old woman, was not so lucky who used her phone for three hours on the beach. A blind spot remained in the middle of his vision.
The Spanish ophthalmologists who treated both patients said there was a need for more awareness of the potential risks.
Writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, the sun’s reflection from electronic devices “should be considered” as a risk factor for the development of solar maculopathy, a condition that usually only occurs in people looking directly at the sun or solar eclipse. without sunglasses.
Doctors in Spain have now described the first two patients who had eye problems due to the sun’s reflection on the phone and laptop screen. One unidentified patient spent four hours reading on his device on the terrace of a ski resort, and another three hours on the beach staring at his phone.
Two cases, neither of which are mentioned, are said to be “first” of their kind.
The 30-year-old patient was admitted to the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostelal with bilateral metamorphopsia, a visual defect that makes straight lines appear rounded.
He also had a central scotoma (a blind spot in the center of his vision) and had trouble seeing distant objects.
Two days ago, on a ski vacation, he had read for four hours on his tablet.
Scans revealed that the man had a “slight gray spot” on his fovea, part of the eye, where he could see things clearly, such as when reading or driving.
In another case, a 20-year-old woman went to the hospital with a similar blind spot in her vision and had difficulty distinguishing distant shapes.
The day before, he had spent three hours on the beach reading a book on his phone.
An eye scan showed that the woman had a “small yellowish lesion” in the macula of each eye: the center of the retina had to clearly see objects such as faces and written words.
There was also a point-shaped scar in the outer plexiform layer of the retina and the photoreceptor layer that absorbs light, which is essential for spatial awareness.
Dr. Joaquín Marticorena and colleagues said the results of both scans confirmed that the patients had solar maculopathy.
Although it is usually caused by direct observation of the sun, it has been known to occur in people who spend time on snow or sand without eye protection, as both substances reflect light into the eye.
Patients may be temporarily or permanently sensitive to light, as well as have impaired vision or blind spot.
The male patient did not receive any treatment and at the follow-up four weeks later, the wounds in his eyes healed. Two months later he fully recovered.
Again, the untreated patient still had blind spots and scars in the layers of the retina a week later.
Although some of her symptoms improved after five months, she remained with a prolonged scotoma in her right eye.
Doctors have noted that solar maculopathy, as in humans, can resolve on its own as the eye heals from the inside.
However, if the sun subsequently damaged the patient’s outer retina, they could create a blind spot in their vision.
Doctors said this is because sunlight blows up photoreceptors in a particular part of the eye, which are necessary to convert light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing.
Both patients suffered more damage in their dominant right eye, which led doctors to argue that the sun caused the damage because they kept their eyes on the device for long periods of time while reading.
They explained that when the sun hits reflective technology screens, it creates a mirror-like reflection as strong as the sun itself.
Some people can prevent glare by tilting their device, while others can increase the brightness of their device to prevent glare.
But doctors warn that the latter does not reduce the brightness of the conspicuous sun.
They added that the sun’s reflection from electronic devices “should be recognized” as a risk of solar maculopathy.
They urged people to wear sunglasses while looking at devices outside when the sun is bright.
Source: Daily Mail
Errol Villanueva is an author and lifestyle journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a passion for exploring the latest trends in fashion, food, travel, and wellness, Errol’s articles are a must-read for anyone interested in living a stylish and fulfilling life.
