Abstract
Purpose
Laser ‘toys’ can be purchased online and imported with relative ease; the variety of such devices is a potential public safety concern. We describe five children with maculopathy following exposure to laser ‘toys’.
Methods
Case series of maculopathy following exposure to laser ‘toys’.
Results
Five children were seen in our Ophthalmic Unit with macular injuries following exposure to laser ‘toys’. Clinically, three children had an acute vitelliform-like maculopathy which resolved to leave sub-foveal retinal pigment epithelium changes with reduced vision. One case was complicated by a choroidal neovascular membrane.
Conclusion
Laser ‘toys’, which resemble laser pointers, are increasingly available over the internet. Such ‘toys’ may not meet safety standards. Retinal injury in childhood following exposure to laser ‘toys’ is a public safety concern.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Steven Carley of the Medical Physics Dept who undertook the tests in Sheffield and to Dr Colin Swift, Medical Physics and Engineering Department, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester. We also thank Dr John O′Hagan from the Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group, Public Health England. We would also like to thank Kim Foster, of the Photography Department in Sheffield, for help in preparation of images.
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Raoof, N., Chan, T., Rogers, N. et al. ‘Toy’ laser macular burns in children. Eye 28, 231–234 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2013.315
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2013.315
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