Citation

Raoof N, O'Hagan J, Pawlowska N, Quhill F. Eye 2015; 30(3): 492-496.

Affiliation

Consultant Ophthalmologist, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1038/eye.2015.222

PMID

26611842

Abstract

PURPOSEThere is increasing evidence that high-powered hand-held laser devices cause retinal injury. We present 12-month follow-up data for three patients that we previously reported with such retinal injuries.

METHODSA retrospective case series of three children with maculopathy secondary to exposure to high-power hand-held laser devices. All children underwent clinical examination and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at presentation and follow-up. Fundus-controlled microperimetry was also undertaken 12-19 months after exposure.

RESULTSThree children sustained macular injury after exposure to a high-powered hand-held laser. Acutely, they presented with a 'vitelliform-like' maculopathy with reduced vision. Over the course of follow-up, the best corrected Snellen acuity in all three patients improved to 'normal' levels (range 6/6-6/9). Long-term deficits in foveal retinal sensitivity were identified in two patients using fundus-controlled microperimetry. SD-OCT imaging showed persistent disruption of the foveal outer photoreceptor layers in all three children.

CONCLUSIONAlthough visual acuity improved over time, deficits in microperimetry and SD-OCT persisted. All three children had retinal pigment epithelium changes, requiring follow-up for longer-term sequelae of laser injuries such as expansion of retinal atrophy and development of choroidal neovascular membranes.Eye advance online publication, 27 November 2015; doi:10.1038/eye.2015.222.

Language: en