Laser injury to multiple retinal foci.
A 21-year-old man received an accidental laser injury to three separate foci of the retina of his right eye from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser target designator emitting at 1,064 nm, operating at 10 Hz, with a pulse duration of 20 ns. The nominal output of this device was 50 mJ, and the diameter of the output beam was approximately 4 cm. The extent of injury consisted of retinal necrosis, subretinal hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage, and striate retinopathy. The initial visual acuity was 20/400, but quickly recovered to 20/30. One year following injury the visual acuity was 20/40. Mature chorioretinal scars were apparent. A preretinal membrane was evident with marked wrinkling effect on the macular area of the retina.
Kearney
J J
JJ
Division of Ocular Hazards, Letterman Army Institute of Research, Presidio of San Francisco, CA 94129-6800.
Cohen
H B
HB
Stuck
B E
BE
Rudd
G P
GP
Beresky
D E
DE
Wertz
F D
FD
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009336:Necrosis; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000528:radiation effects; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology