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Solar retinopathy from sun-gazing under the influence of LSD.

H. Schatz, Frank I. Mendelblatt

British Journal of Ophthalmology April 1, 1973 DOI: 10.1136/bjo.57.4.270 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 2
Population Young patients who ingested LSD and gazed at the sun
Intervention Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Topics LSD
Keywords Optometry Retinopathy Ophthalmology
Citations 59
Key findings Two patients developed bilateral solar retinopathy after sun-gazing while under the influence of LSD.

Abstract

Solar retinopathy is a condition that can result from focusing the eye(s) on the sun, and usually follows the independent viewing of a solar eclipse.It has also been reported after direct sun-gazing, in anti-aircraft lookouts (Flynn, 1942; Cordes, I944, I948), in mili- tary recruits hoping to obtain discharge from service (Ewald and Ritchey, I970), in hos- pitalized schizophrenic patients (Anaclerio and Wicker, I970), in individuals observing the sun as a religious ritual (Agarwal and Malik, I959), in sunbathers (MacFaul, I969; Ridgway, I967), in patients trying to blind themselves (Eigner, I966), and recently in patients under the influence of LSD (Ewald and Ritchey, 1970; Ewald, I971).Cases have also been reported following indirect or reflected sunlight injury, from water or desert sand (Rosen, 1948; Irvine, I945), and in patients undergoing "prolonged and unprotected exposure to the infra-red rays of the solar spectrum in the tropics" (Smith, I944).It has recently been suggested (Manchester and Manchester, 1972) that the temporary blindness of Saul of Tarsus may have been the result of solar retinopathy.After a sun-gazing episode, patients complain of some or all of the following symptoms: decreased or foggy vision, central scotoma, metamorphopsia, chromatopsia, and headache.The initial visual acuity after solar injury is usually 20/40 to 20/63, but may range from 20/20 to counting fingers.After approximately 6 months, the visual acuity is usually in the range of 20/20 to 20/40, although it has been reported as low as 20/400 (Rosen, I948).Patients who regain 20/20 vision often complain of permanent minute central scotomas (Flynn, ig60a; MacFaul, I969).The initial ophthalmoscopic picture varies-from no change to marked macular oedema.Within I to 2 weeks, pigmentation in a mottled pattern replaces the oedema.Later, a hole in the fovea develops.Whether this is a true through-and-through hole in the retina is not known because no histopathological specimens have been available for study.This paper describes two young patients who ingested lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and, while under its effect, gazed at the sun.Bilateral solar retinopathy resulted in each patient. Case reportsCase i, a 24-year-old Caucasian male, was examined one day after sun gazing.He reported being attracted by the glow of the setting sun while under the influence of LSD.He stated that the sun had the significance of God to him, and that a religious experience occurred during this episode.He immediately noted blurred vision, spots, difficulty in reading, and the need to look to the side of any object to see it clearly.He realized that eye damage had occurred, and he was examined the following morning.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on LSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Lasting Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of (??)Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (???Ecstasy???) in Recreational Users Persons who ingested large doses of MDMA 1991 Case study n = 2
Further Studies in the Therapeutic Value of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Mental Illness Patients with mental illness 1957 Case series
Coma, Hyperthermia, and Bleeding Associated with Massive LSD Overdose a Report of Eight Cases People who self-administered large amounts of pure LSD powder intranasally 1975 Case series n = 8
Using a MDMA- and LSD-Group Therapy Model in Clinical Practice in Switzerland and Highlighting the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders Patients with chronic complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-PTSD), dissociative,... 2022 Case series
Persistent Palinopsia Following Ingestion of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Patients who developed persistent palinopsia after LSD ingestion 1996 Case series n = 3

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