A CASE OF ACCIDENTAL OCULAR INJURY FROM COSMETIC LASER BURN. Issue Volume 10:Issues 2(2016:Spring) (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shum, Jennifer W. H.; Iu, Lawrence P. L.; Cheung, Danny N.; Wong, Ian Y. H.
• Is Part Of: Retinal cases & brief reports. Volume 10:Issues 2(2016:Spring)
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: laser ocular injury -- cosmetic laser injury -- Nd:YAG laser -- laser safety regulation -- Hong Kong; Retina -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Retina -- Periodicals; Retinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Retina -- Case Reports; Retinal Diseases -- Case Reports; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000000181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-1089

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To report the clinical course of a patient sustaining a ocular laser injury from 1, 064-nm Nd:YAG cosmetic laser machine. Method and Patient: A 31-year-old beauty parlor aesthetician was operating an Nd:YAG cosmetic laser machine of 1, 064 nm wavelength. However, the probe was held in the opposite direction, and on firing, the laser shot fired into her left eye. The patient heard a "pop" sound followed by immediate floaters and blurring of vision. Her clinical course was followed for 6 weeks, with investigations including optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiogram, and Humphrey's visual field examination performed. Results: Optical coherence tomography taken over the injured area showed thickened retina and preretinal hyperreflectivities. Fluorescein angiogram showed hypofluorescence superonasal to the disk with late staining of vessels. Humphrey's visual field showed a dense scotoma emanating from the blind spot. The lesion eventually scarred down, and the patient's vision recovered. Discussion: The eye is the most susceptible body part to laser light injury. A review of reported laser accidents revealed the majority to be ocular injuries. The retina is particularly vulnerable, as laser light with wavelength between 400 nm and 1, 400 nm is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina, increasing the retinal irradiance as a result. Most injuries were parafoveal, suggesting that most injuries occurred during laser beam alignment. The prognosis is generally favorable. As laser use becomes more widespread and its application increasingly heterogeneous, regulation of laser use and monitoring of laser safety are crucial but at the same time challenging. Abstract : From computers and photocopying machines in the office to laser pointers in the classroom, the application of laser is becoming increasingly common in everyday life. Laser use is popular in the cosmetic field where the gray area in regulation allows nonmedical personnel to operate lasers for aesthetic purposes. Here, the authors report a case of accidental ocular laser injury sustained by a beauty parlor aesthetician.