title: Photic maculopathy after pterygium excision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a patient who developed photic maculopathy after pterygium removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 27-year-old woman underwent pterygium removal with a conjunctival autograft after administration of retrobulbar anesthesia. A coaxial operating microscope was used, with an estimated retinal exposure of approximately 40 minutes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the first postoperative day, the patient noted a paracentral scotoma. A fluorescein angiogram on the fourth postoperative day documented a phototoxic lesion in the macula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phototoxic injury to the macula may occur after pterygium removal. Ophthalmologists should take precautions to minimize prolonged intense coaxial illumination of the retina while performing any ocular microsurgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Rush Medical College of Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Karp
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wilder
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011625:Pterygium / Q000601:surgery*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012607:Scotoma / Q000209:etiology