Accidental Retinal Injury by Self-Applied Cosmetic Laser: A Case Report

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v41i3.2002

Abstract

The use of lasers for dermatological procedures is common now days. We report a case of accidental retina injury and vitreous hemorrhage due to self-applied cosmetic laser, and the aftermath of the injury. A female dermatology nurse complained of blurry vision after an Nd:YAG cosmetic laser accidentally shot at her right eye. She was applying laser to her own face without wearing protective goggles. Afterwards, she felt a black line with moving shadows concealing her vision, without any pain, foreign body sensation, orredness.Hervisualacuitywas6/45, withnormalIOPandanteriorsegment.Fundusexaminationrevealedvitreoushemorrhage, pre-retinal hemorrhage, and pallor in the peri macular area. In 10-month follow-up, the best-corrected visual acuity remained 6/6 but tractional membrane developed in the injured area. Laser injury did not directly affect the fovea, resulting in preserved vision. However, long-term follow-up is still warranted to monitorlate complications.
Keywords: Laser, Retinal hemorrhage, Vitreous hemorrhage, Nd:YAG.