1146 The visual performance of drivers in sub-urban community in Nigeria

Purpose: In February 1988, 66 patients (98 eyes) affected with solar retinopathy due to sun gazing during the same religious ritual were observed at the University Eye Clinic of Chieti. Methods: At baseline a complete functional and morphological examination was performed. During a 7 years follow-up patients underwent functional control visits. After 7 years 32 out of 66 patients (57 eyes) were observed in order to test the macular function in the affected eye. The patients were divided in two sex and age matched group as regard as medical treatment performed at the beginning of the study: in the first group (Group A) oral deflazacort 30 mgldie, and in the second one (Group B) desamethasone Bmg/dl daily were administered intravenously. Results: Patients of group B showed a significantly greater improvement of central function in the first month than in deflazacort group (P<O.OOl). During the study no retinal complications were found. After seven years visual acuity, Amsler test and color vision function showed no differences between the two subgroups. In the desamethasone group contrast sensitivity was found out of the range of normality at high frequencies in one out of 24 eyes; in the deflazacort group 9 out of 33 eyes showed a reduction of contrast sensitivity at the high frequencies (P=O.O2). Conclusions: Intravenously steroid treatment perfomed within 72 hours from solar retinopathy seems to be the best therapeutical choice, allowing a quick improvement and the best long-term preservation of central visual functio?, and avoiding dangerous longterm retinal complication,