Photic maculopathy in young males with intraocular foreign body

A young male with intraocular foreign body (IOFB) and clear media had successful removal of the IOFB but sustained macular damage and permanent loss of vision secondary to operating microscope phototoxicity. Light damage to the eye can be thermal, mechanical, or photochemical and is dependent on source and wavelength of light, filters, and host factors. Removal of IOFB is important, but surgeons must be aware of potential light damage to the macula in lengthy surgical procedures and take appropriate precautions.