Multimodal imaging of photic maculopathy from arc welding

Purpose:Photic retinal toxicity induced by exposure to arc welding can lead to irreversible vision loss. Serial multimodal imaging is characterized in a patient with outer retinal damage secondary to welder's maculopathy.Methods:A single case was retrospectively reviewed.Results:Spectral domain optical coherence tomography acutely revealed disruption of the ellipsoid zone, hyperreflective bands through the outer nuclear layer, and outer retinal cavitation consistent with phototoxicity. Subsequently, disruption and hypertrophy of the subfoveal retinal pigment epithelium developed. Autofluorescence depicted central hypoautofluorescence.Conclusion:We report serial multimodal imaging in welder's maculopathy to better characterize the evolution of lesions. Multimodal imaging including spectral domain optical coherence tomography in arc welding phototoxicity may share features with other forms of phototoxicity such as hand-held laser maculopathy.