2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 18: Posterior Segment Manifestations of Trauma
Photic Damage
Handheld Laser-Pointer Injury
The availability of high-power green and blue handheld laser devices has created a serious emerging source of immediate accidental or purposeful sight-threatening macular injury. These devices are easily obtainable via the Internet and resemble the much safer, ubiquitous low-power red laser pointers. These devices also present the risk of causing secondary harmful effects by visually incapacitating people undertaking visually demanding functions, such as firefighters and airline pilots, even if they do not cause retinal damage.
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Alsulaiman SM, Alrushood AA, Almasaud J, et al; King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital Collaborative Retina Study Group. High-power handheld blue laser–induced maculopathy: the results of the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital Collaborative Retina Study Group. Ophthalmology. 2014;121(2):566–572.e1.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.