Laser injury to multiple retinal foci.

A 21-year-old man received an accidental laser injury to three separate foci of the retina of his right eye from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser target designator emitting at 1,064 nm, operating at 10 Hz, with a pulse duration of 20 ns. The nominal output of this device was 50 mJ, and the diameter of the output beam was approximately 4 cm. The extent of injury consisted of retinal necrosis, subretinal hemorrhage, vitreous hemorrhage, and striate retinopathy. The initial visual acuity was 20/400, but quickly recovered to 20/30. One year following injury the visual acuity was 20/40. Mature chorioretinal scars were apparent. A preretinal membrane was evident with marked wrinkling effect on the macular area of the retina.