Observation of changes after peripheral retinal injury by cosmetic laser, using wide-field scanning laser...

Increases in cosmetic laser use have led to recent reports of accidental retinal injuries, most of which are limited to the posterior pole. We report a case of peripheral retinal injury caused by a 1064-nm Nd:YAG: neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet.

A 27-year-old Asian woman was admitted with scotoma symptoms in her right eye. The patient was a skin care technician. Three days before admission, a laser beam had struck her eye while she was preparing for a laser procedure.

During fundus examination, a subretinal hemorrhage with disc diameter (DD) of 4.0 and a preretinal hemorrhage of 2.5 DD in its center were found in the 2 o'clock position of the peripheral retina in the right eye.

We monitored the injury for > 6 months, first using fluorescein angiography, then wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography. Oral steroids and vitamins were administered.

During the 6-month follow-up period, blood from the initial sub- and preretinal hemorrhage, as well as vitreous hemorrhage, were all absorbed. Retinal detachment was not observed as scar formation and adhesions had occurred. No interventions were considered necessary.

When treating a patient who has experienced laser eye injury, the possibility of peripheral retinal injury should be considered. Peripheral retinal injury caused by 1064-nm Nd:YAG: neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet has a relatively good prognosis, suggesting that it will not progress to retinal detachment.