A Case of Macular Hole after Exposure to Tattoo Removal by Q-Switched Neodymium:YAG Laser

Deok Bae Kim; Mu O Jung; Dong Won Lee; Gwang Ju Choi; Dae Hyun Kim

doi:10.3341/jkos.2011.52.3.373

Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.52(3) > 1009003

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Kim, Jung, Lee, Choi, and Kim: A Case of Macular Hole after Exposure to Tattoo Removal by Q-Switched Neodymium:YAG Laser

Original Article

J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2011;52(3):373-377.

Published online: 7 September 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2011.52.3.373

A Case of Macular Hole after Exposure to Tattoo Removal by Q-Switched Neodymium:YAG Laser

Deok Bae Kim, MD¹, Mu O Jung, MD², Dong Won Lee, MD, PhD³, Gwang Ju Choi, MD, PhD², Dae Hyun Kim, MD, PhD²

¹Happy Eye Clinic, Gwangju, Korea

²Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea

³Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Myung-Gok Eye Research Institute, Konyang University, Daejeon, Korea

Address reprint requests to Dae Hyun Kim, MD, PhD Department of Ophthalmology, Chosun University Hospital #588 Seoseok-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-717, Korea Tel: 82-62-220-3190, Fax: 82-62-225-9839, E-mail: eyelovehyun@hanmail.net

Received 26 August 201027 September 2010 Accepted 17 January 2011

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

To report a case of a macular hole resulting from accidental exposure to tattoo removal by the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser, which was treated successfully by vitrectomy and silicone oil infusion.

Case summary

A 33-year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity after accidental exposure to a Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser. According to fundus examination, vitreous hemorrhage and macular edema were observed. After 21 days, a macular hole had developed which was treated by standard pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade. Unfortunately, closure was not obtained on the first attempt. Therefore, a second attempt using silicone oil infusion was performed. Four months after the initial visit, BCVA had increased to 20/50, and anatomical occlusion was achieved.

Conclusions

The authors of the present study experienced an unusual case of macular hole developed from the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser used to remove a tattoo. A satisfactory visual acuity was achieved after silicone oil infusion despite failure in the first surgery.

Keywords: Macular hole, Q-Switched Nd, YAG laser, Silicone oil, Tattoo, Vitrectomy

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Figure 1.

Fundus photograph (A) at presentation shows dot hemorrhage at the center of the fovea and halo of subretinal fluid. Vitreous hemorrhage observed also. Optical coherence tomography (B) confirms partial defect of the neurosensory retina.

Figure 2.

Fundus photograph (A) at 21days after initial injury shows apparent macular hole. OCT (B) confirms full-thickness macular hole.

Figure 3.

OCT (A) at 1 month after vitrectomy and C₃ F₈ gas infusion. Full-thickness defect of neurosensory retina is still noted. Postoperative OCT scans (B) at 2 month after second vitrectomy and silicone oil infusion, show closure of the hole with reapposition of the retinal edges.

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