CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO ALEXANDRITE LASER EXPOSURE

Abstract

Purpose: To report macular photic trauma after accidental occupational exposure to a 750-nm Alexandrite laser and management of secondary choroidal neovascularization.

Methods: Institutional review board-approved retrospective case report.

Results: A 30-year-old woman presented with immediate vision loss in her left eye after direct inadvertent exposure to a single discharge from an occupational 750-nm Alexandrite laser used for laser hair removal. Baseline Snellen visual acuity was 20/40 in the involved left eye. One week after the initial exposure, the patient experienced subjective visual decline to 20/50, was treated with oral prednisone, and then developed a subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) in the setting of choroidal neovascularization 2 weeks later, or 3 weeks after initial trauma. The patient subsequently received 5 intravitreal ranibizumab injections over 25 weeks with resolution of the SRH. Final visual acuity was 20/50.

Conclusion: The present case documents development and management of subretinal hemorrhage associated with choroidal neovascularization following macular photic trauma after accidental occupational to a 750-nm Alexandrite laser.