Lack of adequate professional training and appropriate eye protection determined as primary cause in eye injury cases.
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Wausau, WI (January 20, 2023) – Laser-assisted hair removal in the ocular region, without appropriate technique or eye protection, can lead to ocular anterior segment and/or retinal injury. A laser beam directed toward the eye may easily penetrate the eyelid or the cornea and cause catastrophic ocular injury. Unfortunately, regulation and licensing of the use of laser-assisted hair removal devices has not yet been well elucidated nor standardized across Australia. This study reports a case of unilateral anterior uveitis and a macular defect following inadvertent laser exposure, leading to photophobia and pain, and reduced visual acuity.
The case report, led by Dean Jbara BSc (Med), MD, is titled, “Unintentional macular injury following high-energy cosmetic laser calibration.” The report, published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM), the official journal of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS), was selected as the January 2023 Editor’s Choice.
“This report illustrates significant ocular injury as a result of inadequate professional training and possibly improper operation of cosmetic hair removal laser,” said Jbara. “We believe this study is important in highlighting the importance of appropriate operator training with the view to minimize future similar injuries.”
The use of protective eyewear is of vital importance to prevent possible ocular injury. A cross-sectional case study found that this was the most important preventable risk factor. In addition, laser hair removal systems should be operated by trained and highly skilled professionals to reduce the risk of possible inadvertent injury. Despite appropriate safety mechanisms, ocular damage may still occur with laser-assisted hair removal devices if operators are not adequately trained.
Dr. Dean Jbara is the medical registrar at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales he is also a conjoint associate lecturer at the University of New South Wales. He received his BSc and MD at the University of Sydney.
Editor’s Choice is an exclusive article published in LSM, the official journal of the ASLMS. View the complete manuscript.
The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) is the largest multidisciplinary professional organization dedicated to the development and application of lasers and related technology for health care applications. ASLMS promotes excellence in patient care by advancing biomedical application of lasers and other related technologies worldwide. ASLMS membership includes physicians, surgeons, nurses, and allied health professionals representing multiple specialties, physicists involved in product development, biomedical engineers, biologists, industry representatives and manufacturers. For more information, visit aslms.org.