Laser Pointer Retinal Injury: A Case Report

Meri Vukicevic PhD 1, 2
Trevor Gin FRANZCO 2
Stuart Keel BOrth&OphthSc(Hons) 1
1 Department of Clinical Vision Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
2 Eye Surgery Associates, Doncaster, Melbourne, Australia

A healthy 15-year-old boy presented with decreased visual acuity and central blur in the right eye following the misapplication of a green laser pointer. Focal retinal pigment epithelial disturbance at the fovea was revealed on optical coherence tomography and ophthalmoscopy examination. Visual function remained impaired 9 weeks following the incident, however it is unclear whether the misuse of laser pointers results in a permanent decrease in vision. This case emphasises that laser pointer devices may cause macular injury when used inappropriately.