Eye on the Eclipse: Demographic Trends in Solar Retinopathy From 2012 to 2024.

Purpose: To characterize demographic, psychiatric, and retinal comorbidities associated with solar retinopathy in the United States from 2012 to 2024 and to evaluate incidence trends in relation to solar eclipse years.

Methods

This retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX US Collaborative Research Network. Patients with newly diagnosed solar retinopathy (International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, code H31.02) were identified and included if they had a documented ophthalmology visit and retinal imaging. Annual incidence rates were compared between eclipse and non-eclipse years. Demographic characteristics and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, substance use disorders, and concurrent retinal conditions were analyzed.

Results

Among 1 042 995 patients, 555 were diagnosed with solar retinopathy. The mean annual incidence was 44.5 cases, with a peak observed in 2017 (71 cases). There was no statistically significant difference between eclipse years (51.5 cases/year) and non-eclipse years (37.3 cases/year; P = .062). The median age at diagnosis was 54.1 ± 21.3 years, and 59% of patients were men. Sixty-eight percent of individuals were White, 27% were Black, and 5% were Asian. Psychiatric comorbidities were common, with 32% diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 24% with major depressive episodes, and 10% with psychotic disorders. Substance use disorders were also observed, including nicotine dependence (18%) and cannabis-related disorders (6%). Concurrent retinal conditions included age-related macular degeneration (8%), hereditary retinal dystrophies (7%), and central serous chorioretinopathy (3%). There was no correlation between solar retinopathy incidence and geographic exposure to eclipse totality.

Conclusions

The incidence of solar retinopathy remained low over the study period, with no significant increase during eclipse years. However, psychiatric and retinal comorbidities were prevalent among affected individuals. These findings highlight demographic and psychosocial disparities and support the need for targeted, culturally informed preventive education and eye safety initiatives before future eclipses.