Choroidal neovascularization after accidental macular damage by laser

Abstract

A 30-year-old male physics professor was examined 2 months after being accidentally hit by a laser beam in his left eye. He complained of abrupt vision loss and central scotoma after the laser accident,with stabilization of the vision thereafter. At presentation, he presented best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 in the left eye. Fundoscopy disclosed a slightly elevated foveal brownish lesion,surrounded by a subtle subretinal haemorrhage. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated a hyperfluorescent foveal lesion with staining and a slight leakage in the late phase, characterizing a fibrovascular choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Optical coherence tomography showed a discrete increase in retinal thickness and a subretinal fibrotic CNV. Visual acuity remained stable during the follow up(4 months). CNV after laser injury is rare. The evolution of this case suggests that CNV, after an accidental laser injury,in a healthy macula of a young patient might have a self-limited course and a relatively good prognosis.