J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2007 Jul;48(7):1007-1011.

Maculopathy from Red Laser Pointer

• Jeong WD
• Hwang YH
• Kim JS
• Lee JH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report a case of maculopathy following exposure to a red laser pointer beam. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 12-year-old boy visited our clinic due to decreased visual acuity in the right eye after 2 months after exposure to a red laser pointer beam for 10 to 20 seconds at a distance of 3 m.
RESULTS
Uncorrected visual acuity was 0.1 and 0.9 in the right and left eyes, respectively. The best corrected visual acuity of the right eye was 0.15. Upon funduscopic examination, a yellowish degeneration was observed in the macular area. Fluorescence angiography showed hyperfluorescent window defect that may have been a retinal pigment epithelial defect related to laser pointer exposure. There were no specific findings in electroretinogram, and the boundary between the photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium was ambiguous as determined by optical coherence tomography. A Humphrey automated visual field test revealed generalized central field defect, although his cooperation was not sufficient.
CONCLUSIONS
Red laser pointer should be used carefully, as their misuse can result in retinal damage, especially in inadequately used macula.

Keyword

Laser pointer; Light; Maculopathy; Red laser

MeSH Terms

Child
Fluorescein Angiography
Humans
Male
Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Retinaldehyde
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Visual Acuity
Visual Field Tests
Retinaldehyde