Photic maculopathy after pterygium excision.

Abstract

To report a patient who developed photic maculopathy after pterygium removal. A 27-year-old woman underwent pterygium removal with a conjunctival autograft after administration of retrobulbar anesthesia. A coaxial operating microscope was used, with an estimated retinal exposure of approximately 40 minutes. On the first postoperative day, the patient noted a paracentral scotoma. A fluorescein angiogram on the fourth postoperative day documented a phototoxic lesion in the macula. Phototoxic injury to the macula may occur after pterygium removal. Ophthalmologists should take precautions to minimize prolonged intense coaxial illumination of the retina while performing any ocular microsurgery.