LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF IATROGENIC PHOTOTOXICITY

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of a group of patients who suffere d iatrogenic phototoxic injury. Methods: The medical records of 24 pat ients (24 eyes) with iatrogenic phototoxicity from 3 medical centers w ere reviewed, We report the findings from long-term follow-up of these patients with particular attention to visual outcome, type and durati on of procedure, and location of the phototoxic lesion. Results: Photo toxic injury occurred after anterior segment surgery in 20 eyes and af ter vitrectomy in 4 eyes. The mean duration of surgery was 109 minutes ; there was no statistically significant difference in duration betwee n the anterior segment procedures and the vitrectomies. Mean final vis ual acuity was 20/40 for all cases (range, 20/15 to counting fingers) and 20/25 for all anterior segment cases. In vitrectomized eyes, the m ean final visual acuity was 20/900. Phototoxic lesions tended to spare the fovea after anterior segment surgery and involve the foveal cente r after vitrectomy. Conclusions: In general, patients who suffer photo toxicity do well, and the prognosis is good for extrafoveal lesions. F oveal injury, which often occurs with vitrectomy, usually leads to a w orse visual outcome. The development of choroidal neovascularization m ay have an effect on the ultimate visual outcome as well.