Eccentric Fixation Can Sometimes Be Useful: Unilateral Foveal Preservation in a Child with Bilateral Laser-Induced Maculopathy

Introduction

Handheld laser-induced maculopathy (HLIM) is fraught with inadvertent retinal injury due to its misuse. Since visible or near-infrared light can be intensified in the retina, the fovea is presumably the most susceptible tissue to laser-induced injury in the human body where the fixation occurs [1].

Eccentric fixation is a monocular condition where a region of the retina instead of the fovea is used for the fixation, and in where reorientation of sensory and motor functions may eventually occur so that the new area assumes a foveal type of visual direction [2].

Herein, we presented a well-documented case of bilateral laser pointer retinopathy with unilateral preserved fovea due to eccentric fixation related to refractive accommodative esotropia and right amblyopia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of bilateral laser pointer retinopathy in the presence of eccentric fixation.

Publication History

Received: 04 August 2024

Accepted: 24 January 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
05 February 2025

Article published online:
27 March 2025

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