Femtosecond laser can cause choroidal rupture

Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2009 Fall;3(4):351-3. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0b013e31817571c6.

Abstract

Purpose: Many studies have found that it is very difficult to create choroidal lesions using a femtosecond laser. However, a patient with a premacular hemorrhage in the left eye and a choroidal rupture in the right eye from exposure to reflection of a femtosecond laser from a metal is described.

Methods: The patient was treated with intravitreal expansile gas to displace the premacular blood in the left eye on posttrauma day 2.

Patients: A 51-year-old man presented with blind spots in both eyes after being exposed to reflection of a femtosecond laser from a metal.

Results: At the 10-week follow-up, the patient's vision improved to 20/40 (20/30 with a pinhole in the left eye).

Discussion: This case suggests that choroidal rupture may occur with use of a femtosecond laser system.