Retinal and choroidal damage from long-term exposure to a laser pointer beam

Introduction: Laser pointers are devices that produce a weak laser beam of 630-680 nmwavelength and 1-5 mW power [Class II or III A laser]. These devices generally emit a red beam that is used by lecturers and teachers for presentations. Some children use pointers as toys and sometimes direct the beam to their own or others' eyes

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Material and Methods: Following irradiation by a laser pointer beam for 8 seconds the eyes of Chinchilla rabbits were examined by opthalmoscope, and fluorescein angiography was performed 5, 10 and 15 min after the exposure. The rabbits were killed immediately or 24h after exposure, the eyes were enucleated, and the histological features of sections from fundus, retina and choroid were observed by transmission electron microscopy

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Results: A fluorescein block was found in the irradiated area immediately after irradiation and it increased in size with increasing time after exposure. The ultrastructural study showed acute oedema shortly after exposure, and thick collagenic bundles after 24h

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Conclusion: Laser pointers with labelled power of less than 1mW are capable of producing visible and ultrastructual lesions in pigmented rabbit eyes