Accidental diode laser-induced full-thickness macular hole: a case report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Device Safety

Background:

• Accidental ocular injuries from non-medical laser devices are uncommon but pose significant vision risks.
• Diode laser exposure, particularly during cosmetic procedures like hair removal, can lead to severe eye trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) resulting from accidental diode laser exposure during a cosmetic hair removal procedure.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the management of laser-induced macular injuries.

Main Methods:

• A case report detailing a patient who sustained an ocular injury from a diode laser.
• Ophthalmological examination, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) for diagnosis.
• Surgical intervention involving pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, and gas tamponade.

Main Results:

• The patient developed a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) in the right eye, confirmed by OCT.
• Surgical repair achieved anatomical closure of the macular hole.
• Despite successful surgery, visual prognosis remained guarded due to extensive retinal damage.

Conclusions:

• Inadequate laser safety protocols in non-medical settings can lead to devastating ocular injuries.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is essential for diagnosing and monitoring laser-induced retinal injuries.
• Timely surgical intervention is important, but visual outcomes depend on the extent of initial photothermal damage.