Photic maculopathy after pterygium exciion

PURPOE: To report a patient who developed photic maculopathy after pterygium removal. METHOD: A 27-year-old woman underwent pterygium removal with a conjunctival autograft after adminitration of retrobulbar anetheia. A coaxial operating microcope wa ued, with an etimated retinal expoure of approximately 40 minute. REULT: On the firt potoperative day, the patient noted a paracentral cotoma. A fluorecein angiogram on the fourth potoperative day documented a phototoxic leion in the macula. CONCLUION: Phototoxic injury to the macula may occur after pterygium removal. Ophthalmologit hould take precaution to minimize prolonged intene coaxial illumination of the retina while performing any ocular microurgery.