Macular hole caused by a 589-nanometer dye laser operating for 10 nanoseconds

A dye laser emitting 589 nm light for 10 nsec caused an accidental burn of the center of a human macula. Initially, blood streamed from the choroid through the disintegrated retina into the vitreous. No chorioretinal neovascularization or vascular anastomoses subsequently occurred. Visual acuity had been measured one day prior to the accident and was 6/6 (20/20). Immediately after the burn, it fell to counts fingers at 3 ft. Thereafter, it quickly improved to 6/30 (20/100) and remained at that level during a follow-up interval of one year. Angiography and biomicroscopy showed characteristic findings of a macular hole.