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    An adolescent patient with a past medical history of type 1 diabetes presented with acute central vision loss. Examination revealed a focal yellow-white foveal lesion and optical coherence tomography demonstrated a large intraretinal foveal cyst with outer retinal disruption. Because of his history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, the cystic appearance initially raised concern for diabetic macular edema and other retinal disorders. However, further probing of history revealed recreational use of a handheld blue laser pointer. Multimodal imaging and clinical history supported the diagnosis of blue laser-induced maculopathy. Observation alone resulted in complete anatomical resolution of the cyst and recovery of visual acuity to 20/20 within 3 months. This case expands the phenotypic spectrum of blue laser-induced retinal injury by describing a reversible cystic intraretinal lesion that closely mimicked other causes of pediatric macular pathology and highlights the importance of recognizing laser-induced injury in children and adolescents. It also raises questions between the potential relationship between photic injury and a background of diabetes.

    Presentation Date: 07/23/2026
    Issue Date: 07/24/2026

    • Presenter: Victoria Marks, MD URL
    • Faculty Discussant: Audina M. Berrocal, MD URL

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