Abstract

Laser pointers are handheld laser devices intended for pointing out objects or locations, including for demonstration or amusement purposes. On the internet, high power laser pointers (which may often be incorrectly labelled), are increasingly accessible, with no adequate access controls in place. Laser pointer glare and retinal injuries caused by laser pointers have increased
considerably in recent years and now represent a relevant problem, particularly among children (1, 2, 6). Laser pointer injury symptoms may vary from asymptomatic presentation to blurry vision, central or paracentral scotomata, and metamorphopsias. Injury can be diagnosed using different imaging tools, including fundoscopic examination and OCT. Hallmark findings are yellow-white
lesions or streaks, which may involve the foveal center and focal disruption of the ellipsoid zone and RPE loss on OCT which, addition to history of laser light exposure,
are diagnostic of laser maculopathy. Treatment options for laser pointer injuries are limited, but the natural course is mostly favorable, and visual acuity may recover. Overall, public awareness of laser pointer injuries needs to be heightened and, in all cases, preventative counseling should be undertaken to avoid repeated injury (1, 7).