Photic maculopathy after pterygium excision

PURPOSE: To report a patient who developed photic maculopathy after pterygi um removal. METHODS: A 27-year-old woman underwent pterygium removal with a conjunctiva l autograft after administration of retrobulbar anesthesia. A coaxial opera ting microscope was used, with an estimated retinal exposure of approximate ly 40 minutes. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day, the patient noted a paracentral sc otoma. A fluorescein angiogram on the fourth postoperative day documented a phototoxic lesion in the macula. CONCLUSIONS: Phototoxic injury to the macula may occur after pterygium remo val. Ophthalmologists should take precautions to minimize prolonged intense coaxial illumination of the retina while performing any ocular microsurger y, (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc, All rights reserved.