American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 127, Issue 6 , Pages 728-729, June 1999

Laser pointer maculopathy

  • Ehud Zamir, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
    • Corresponding Author InformationInquiries to Ehud Zamir, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem, Israel; fax: 972-2-6434434
    • ,
  • Igor Kaiserman, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
    • ,
  • Itay Chowers, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel

Accepted 30 November 1998.

Abstract 

PURPOSE:

To report a case of macular damage from a laser pointer.

METHOD:

Case report. A 19-year-old woman had an acute reduction of visual acuity in the right eye after deliberately staring into a commercial class 2 laser pointer for approximately 10 seconds.

RESULTS:

The patient’s best-corrected visual acuity was RE: 20/40, and she had two small pericentral scotomata, as well as a hypopigmented ring-shaped lesion in the fovea. Within 8 weeks, her visual acuity improved to 20/20 and visual field returned to normal, but a subjective relative decrease in brightness of objects viewed by the right eye was apparent. Retinal pigment epithelial abnormality persisted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Commercial laser pointers, commonly used for teaching and entertainment purposes, may cause notable macular damage if abused. Morphologically, this may manifest as foveal retinal pigment epithelial disturbance.

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PII: S0002-9394(99)00017-3

American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 127, Issue 6 , Pages 728-729, June 1999

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