Damage to the macula associated with LED-derived blue laser exposure: A case report

Abstract

BackgroundLight emitting diodes laser is emerging as an important source of light replacing conventional lights. It is widely used for illumination in the bar where young people love to go. But not everyone knows about the light damage to the eye especially to the macula. In this article, we report the case of a macular damage induced by LED-derived blue laser in a bar, studied with optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate the retinal lesion and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) to evaluate functional damage.Case presentationFour days after the photo injury to the right eye, the visual acuity was 0.5. Funduscopy revealed a round red lesion in the macula of the right eye. Fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed no leakage. OCT revealed a deficiency in the center of the fovea. MfERG revealed a reduction of the peak value in the right eye compared to the left eye. One month later, although the vision was 1.0 in the right eye, OCT revealed a hyporeflectivity of the ellipsoid zone. MfERG still showed a reduction of the peak value in the right eye compared to the left eye.ConclusionWe believe that general knowledge about laser injuries to the eye should be realized widely. We also think in cases of macular laser damage, the recovery of vision can not demonstrate the recovery of the function of photoreceptors.

Laser-Induced Maculopathy and Outcomes After Treatment With Corticosteroids and Lutein

“…One study that began the regime at 1 mg/kg/day found improvement compared with patients who did not receive treatment [7]. Another treatment reported as beneficial in some studies is lutein 20 mg/day for at least one month, administered for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects along with its known protection in other macular diseases [9,13,14]. In this case, lutein was started at the one-week follow-up in addition to corticosteroids.…”

Case of laser induced maculopathy and treatment outcome after use of corticosteroids and lutein.

“…Another treatment, which some reports have shown is beneficial, is lutein 20mg daily for at least one month, administered for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect plus known protection in other macular diseases [9,13,14]. In this case lutein was started at one week follow up in addition to corticosteroids.…”

Drone retinopathy

“…Dark lenses cause mydriasis and, as a result, allow more radiation to enter the eye. Commercially available, high quality lenses which filter out wavelengths most hazardous to the eye, particularly those below 450 nm, should instead be used 1, 11, 12. However, protective eyewear may interfere with proper viewing of the aircraft and/or controller.…”