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THE EVOLUTION Of FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE AFTER SHORT EXPOSURE TO HIGH-POWERED HANDHELD LASER POINTER
Yariv Keshet1, Peter E Weseley, Emily J Ceisler
1Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York, New York; and New York University Langone, New York, New York.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|February 2, 2023
Summary
A powerful blue laser pointer caused a full-thickness macular hole in a teenager. This case highlights the severe retinal damage possible from high-power handheld lasers.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
- Laser Safety
Background:
- High-power handheld laser pointers are increasingly accessible.
- Understanding the ocular effects of intense laser exposure is crucial.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old boy sustained a foveal retinal injury after brief exposure to a 5,000 mW blue laser pointer.
- Initial fundus imaging revealed a white retinal opacity, with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showing hyperreflectivity indicative of tissue necrosis.
Findings:
- One month post-exposure, the patient developed a full-thickness macular hole.
- Imaging confirmed the absence of retinal pigment epithelium at the hole's base, indicating severe foveal damage.
Implications:
- Brief exposure to high-power lasers can cause significant, focal retinal damage, distinct from effects of weaker lasers.
- This case underscores the potential dangers of high-power laser pointers and the need for increased awareness and safety measures.
