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Laser pointer induced macular damage: case report and mini review

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Abstract

To report laser pointer induced damage to retina and choroid and briefly review literature. A case report of a 13-year old Caucasian boy developed blurry central vision and central scotoma in right eye (OD). He was exposed for one minute to class IIIA green laser pointer of 650 nm wavelength and 5 mW power. Clinical examination showed a grayish lesion in foveal region. Ancillary testing revealed disruption of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer in foveal region and indocyanine green angiography demonstrated evidence of choroidal hypofluorescence suggestive of choroidal infarction in OD. Visual acuity improved from 20/100 to 20/60 in one day and he was treated with tapering doses of oral prednisolone (40 mg) for 3 weeks. Laser pointer with a power of >5 mW caused damage to RPE in the macula. Children should not be given laser pointers as toys especially those with label of danger instructions.

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Conflict of interest

Authors have no conflicts of interest with the devices or medication in the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associated Retina Consultants Ltd, 7600 N 15th Street, Suite #155, Phoenix, AZ, 85020, USA

    Kiran Turaka, J. Shepard Bryan, Alan J. Gordon, Rahul Reddy, Henry M. Kwong Jr. & Clive H. Sell

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  1. Kiran Turaka
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  2. J. Shepard Bryan
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  3. Alan J. Gordon
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  4. Rahul Reddy
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  5. Henry M. Kwong Jr.
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  6. Clive H. Sell
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Correspondence to Kiran Turaka.

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Turaka, K., Bryan, J.S., Gordon, A.J. et al. Laser pointer induced macular damage: case report and mini review. Int Ophthalmol 32, 293–297 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-012-9555-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-012-9555-z

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