Background Forced solar gazing (FSG) appears to be more regularly employed as a method of torture in certain parts of the world than has previously been documented. Subjects and methods This study is a retrospective analysis of a case set of 17 torture survivors subjected to FSG, who were seen by the UK Charity Freedom from Torture in the period 2009–2019. Results All clients in our case set had experienced serious physical and sexual assaults, in addition to the FSG, as part of their mistreatment. All clients suffered with serious psychological conditions as a result of their torture, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These mental health conditions made ophthalmic assessment difficult, not simply because of the clients’ associated anxiety, but also because of avoidant behaviour and dissociation which was manifested in the clinical setting. In the two clients who could be examined by an ophthalmologist, both had visible retinal changes and a degree of impairment of visual acuity. Conclusion FSG appears to be a method of torture which is regularly employed, and in our case set is seen with other serious manifestations of mistreatment, both physical, psychological and sexual. Psychiatric comorbidities present challenges in the clinical assessment of these cases. Ophthalmic examination can carry a risk of re-traumatisation of individuals who have experienced FSG in a context of torture.

中文翻译：

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强迫凝视太阳——一种常见的酷刑手段？

背景 强迫日光凝视 (FSG) 在世界某些地区似乎比以前记录的更经常被用作一种酷刑方法。主题和方法 本研究是对 17 名遭受 FSG 的酷刑幸存者的案例集的回顾性分析，这些幸存者在 2009 年至 2019 年期间被英国免于酷刑慈善机构看到。结果 我们案例集中的所有客户都经历过严重的身体和性侵犯，除了 FSG，作为他们虐待的一部分。所有客户都因遭受酷刑而遭受严重的心理状况，包括抑郁症和创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD)。这些心理健康状况使眼科评估变得困难，不仅仅是因为客户的相关焦虑，也因为在临床环境中表现出的回避行为和分离。在可以接受眼科医生检查的两名客户中，两人都有可见的视网膜变化和一定程度的视力受损。结论 FSG 似乎是一种经常使用的酷刑方法，在我们的案例中，我们看到了其他严重的虐待表现，包括身体、心理和性方面的虐待。精神病合并症对这些病例的临床评估提出了挑战。眼科检查可能会给经历过 FSG 的人带来再次创伤的风险。结论 FSG 似乎是一种经常使用的酷刑方法，在我们的案例中，我们看到了其他严重的虐待表现，包括身体、心理和性方面的虐待。精神病合并症对这些病例的临床评估提出了挑战。眼科检查可能会给经历过 FSG 的人带来再次创伤的风险。结论 FSG 似乎是一种经常使用的酷刑方法，在我们的案例中，我们看到了其他严重的虐待表现，包括身体、心理和性方面的虐待。精神病合并症对这些病例的临床评估提出了挑战。眼科检查可能会给经历过 FSG 的人带来再次创伤的风险。