The ocular effects of sun gazing have been recognized since ancient time.  The mechanism of 
damage to the retina was believed to be caused by thermal injury, but it is now believed to 
be the result of photochemical injury mediated by shorter wavelength exposure. Solar retinopathy
is especially common during solar eclipse.  Often, patients with unilateral or bilateral parafoveal
retinal pigment epithelial changes reluctantly admit to gazing at a solar eclipse earlier in their life.