Citation

Sethi CS, Grey RH, Hart CD. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 1999; 83(10): 1164-1167.

Affiliation

The Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LX.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10502579

PMCID

PMC1722817

Abstract

AIMS: The largest clinical series of laser pointer exposures to date is described, to document any long term visual sequelae and assess objectively the visual threat from transient ocular exposure. METHODS: 14 cases were collected prospectively and triaged by ophthalmic nurses before referral to an ophthalmologist for a complete ophthalmic examination. Regardless of the need for clinical follow up, all patients were contacted by telephone at a mean interval of 10.5 months following exposure to inquire about new or persisting symptoms. RESULTS: 11/14 cases presented within 24 hours of exposure and 5/14 incidents were reported to the police. Reduced acuity in the affected eye compared with the contralateral were documented in 5/14 cases. The commonest physical sign was a punctate epitheliopathy, seen in 5/14 cases, and the commonest symptom was ocular discomfort, reported by 11/14 patients. There were no consistent retinal findings. Follow up by telephone survey revealed that two patients were wearing new glasses, but had not been refracted before the exposure; one had intermittent ocular discomfort; the remaining 11 were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: This study is reassuring to the ophthalmology community and the general public in failing to demonstrate consistent, long term damaging effects of transient ocular exposure to laser pointer beams.

Language: en