Laser injury requires second opinion

Figure 1A

A 56 year-old male patient came into the clinic recently for a second opinion concerning a previous injury to his right eye. A high-powered commercial laser in a physics laboratory was the source of the injury in 2005. He is currently a full-time spectacle lens wearer. The medical history is significant for the following: appendectomy 1980; systemic hypertension treated and controlled with oral medications for the past 6-7 years; hyperlipidemia treated with Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium, Pfizer) for 3 years. He is a former smoker, but a pack-year calculation was not recorded. He reports no known allergies. Regarding his family history, he reports that his mother has been treated for liver cancer. 

Figure 1B

Pertinent clinical findings include:

• Visual acuity: OD 5/25 (EV), OS 20/20

• IOP: 20/21 mm Hg OD/OS

• The anterior segment was unremarkable, and visual field was full to confrontation testing.

• EOMs: no restrictions.

Figure 2

The figures show the fundus appearance of the right and left eyes (Figures 1 and 2). In addition, an OCT characterized carefully the architectural changes at the level of the outer and inner retina at the macula (Figures 3 and 4).

Because this represents stable retinal/RPE remodeling, no treatment was recommended. He will continue to be followed, recommended to wear safety glasses, and to observe laser safety protocols as recommended by manufacturers.ODT

Figure 3

Figure 4