Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in laser maculopathy
Livia Tomasso1, Lucia Benatti1, Carlo La Spina1
1Department of Ophthalmology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, University Vita-Salute, Milan - Italy.
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|December 24, 2016
Summary
Laser pointers can damage deeper retinal layers beyond the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Optical coherence tomography angiography suggests potential choriocapillaris involvement in laser maculopathy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
- Laser Injury
Background:
- Handheld laser pointers primarily cause thermal injury to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
- Previous studies have not investigated deeper retinal layers affected by laser pointers.
- This study explores laser maculopathy beyond the RPE using advanced imaging techniques.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old boy presented with vision loss after staring at a laser pointer.
- Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed hyperreflective columns in the outer retina.
- OCT angiography (OCT-A) showed corresponding hypointense lesions in the choriocapillaris.
Findings:
- OCT-A suggested potential rarefaction of the choriocapillaris.
- These findings may also represent artifacts from overlying retinal damage.
- The thermal injury might extend deeper than the RPE layer.
Implications:
- Laser thermal injury may affect the choriocapillaris, not just the RPE.
- Multimodal imaging, including OCT-A, is crucial for understanding laser retinal damage.
- This research enhances comprehension of laser maculopathy pathogenesis.
