Photographer Halogen Lamp Burn to Upper Right Quadrant of my Retina

[carl86]

Hello,

I inadvertently burnt my retina at a photo shoot when the photographers halogen lamps reflecting off mirrors entered the side of my eye which has left a curved halo effect in one eye's field of vision.

When viewing the retina scan image, the burn shows on the top right quadrant of my retina which causes an arcing halo in my lower left field of vision.

This happened 10 days ago. I went to my to my optometrist the day after the incident, and again yesterday (9 days later) for a follow up appointment.

My optometrist says he has never seen a halogen burn in this manner before and in my follow up appointment yesterday, the retinal scan showed the affected area had worsened slightly.

I'm going to see a retinal specialist (MD) next Tuesday which will be 14 days after the injury occurred to see what can be done.

Has anyone had an experience of this nature and could they tell me if the injury healed, how long it took to heal, and what the treatment was?

Thanks,

Carl

[hoover412]

I am not a medical doctor but you need to let all your patients know that any bright light overloading the RETINA will cause this damage and it is irrervesable.
This happened to me 4 days ago while changinging the 500 watt bulb in a KOBALT Brand shop light. I purchased this light from LOWES and this was only the second time using it. I looked into the light and now after talking to a well respected Opthalmologist I have a 50/50 chance of every being able to focus my left eye again.
This is the type of work light (yellow in color) that most everyone has in their shop, garage or shinning on decorations at the holiday season. THROW THEM IN THE TRASH ...
I am going to loose everything I own thanks to LOWES and KOBALT not putting a warning on their product.
dwh
chattanooga, tn.

[Cassandrajane]

Oh you never mentioned the mirrors, And as my photoshoots have only ever contained one mirror if this is needed, I never heard of it, Again I am sorry.

Whereas many mirrors yes that is a possibility..


In a nice way, you might feel your eye has weakened only because you know there is something wrong with if it that makes sense? In a nice way also. Because my sister who is 13 currently has an Impact cacerat... (I cant spell) haha, And has had it apprently for about a year now and its only just been picked up recently and onlly now that she knows about it, she feel it is getting worse.. Because she knows about it, But she has had it for a year before and was fine with her eyes,



Well your doctor will do everything they can to make it sorted... Before any worse damage gets done.

:)

[carl86]

Thanks all, it did happen at the photoshoot, I'm not sure about the wattage, but the lights were about a foot in diameter, and my doctor said that the type if light emitted by halogen can be strengthened when reflected through a mirror.

The room was a spin classroom which had all walls mirrored which likely reflected the light several times, thus increasing the strength before it entry through the side of my eye.

I really hope this is not permanent Dr O, it's very disconcerting and I feel my eye has weakened since the incident.

[Cassandrajane]

Sorry, I misread your comment I thought you said worn off, but it was actually worsened! I am sorry, but they might try you with glasses and a patch or something to wear 3 - 4 hours a day and if that hasnt worked theyy might persue further into an Operation perhaps!

Again I am sorry for misreading!


xx

[Cassandrajane]

I studied photography at college and was a model also for photoshoots  since I was 3 for todlers and then gone onto hair and make up for students and my own portfolio and then a model at college....and this has never happened before... I know for a fact that if this happened Hallogen bulbs wouldnt be allowed to be used if it damaged eyes as it does need to be used constantly. Are you sure it was the bulb that damaged your eyes. Has it been speciffically said it was that by a professional, or is it your own perspective because it happened after the photoshoot?

I would think if this is the case you will probably get a patch to put over your good eye to make it a bit stronger, and or glasses and they will monitor thiis because you said it is fadeing and then if it hasnt gotten any better they might take further action with an operation. But I am not trying to be mean, I do not think it was the Hallogen bulb that has caused this, because they wouldnt be allowed to be used if this was the case and it caused damage to people, as they would very often have lawsuits on their hands and just take them away because they cant be bothered with the hassle!

I hope your eye gets better. Sorry this has happened I hope this gets sorted!

:)

[des900]

Don't worry, It will surely improve over time. Next time when using such bright light always keep some distance from eyes.

[walkietalkie]

halogen lamps are commonly used in many applications. they sure are bright but didn't know they can cause eye injury.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

This is similar to a solar burn from observing an eclipse.  It will most likely be permanent.

I have not heard of this with photography.

Dr. O.