Brief Reports
Laser pointer–induced macular injury

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Abstract

PURPOSE: To report a patient with a macular injury caused by a laser pointing device.

METHODS: Case report. A healthy 34-year-old man was examined 2 days after he deliberately gazed into the beam of a laser-pointing device with his left eye for an estimated 30 to 60 seconds. His uncorrected visual acuity in each eye was 20/20. He reported a transient central scotoma in the left eye and headache after laser exposure.

RESULTS: Both eyes were unremarkable except for a focal retinal pigment epithelial disturbance at the nasal edge of the fovea in the left eye. Fundus fluorescein angiography demonstrated window- defect type hyperfluoresence in the same location.

CONCLUSIONS: Laser-pointing devices may cause macular injury when used inappropriately. Conformance with consumer safety recommendations should minimize potential hazards.

References (4)

  • J.A. Wolfe

    Laser retinal injury

    Mil Med

    (1985)
  • United States Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21, chapter 1, part 1040, section...
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

1

Dr Luttrull is in private practice in Ventura, California.

2

Dr Hallisey is in private practice in Camarillo, California.

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