LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF ACCIDENTAL PARAFOVEAL LASER BURNS

The findings after 12 years of follow-up evaluation of 2 patients who sustained accidental parafoveal and juxtafoveal Nd:YAG laser injuries are reported. In both cases, the fovea was not destroyed by the initia l insult and early scar formation. Both cases demonstrated, after more than a decade, minimal visual deficit without significant late compli cations. In spite of early decrease in visual performance, the long-te rm prognosis for Q-switched Nd:YAG laser retinal lesions in which the fovea was not directly involved in the injury or its repair mechanisms is relatively benign.