laser ( or light ) hair removal , also known as photoepilation , is one of the most commonly used laser- or light - based cosmetic medical procedures.1,2 in the literature , various cases of ocular complications have been reported following laser hair removal of the eyebrows , both with and without protective eyewear.313 this report describes the case of a female patient with acute anterior uveitis caused by alexandrite laser - assisted hair removal of the eyebrows while not wearing protective eyewear . this study and the methods of the case report were performed as per the tenets of the declaration of helsinki . a 38-year - old female with mild myopic astigmatism and no history of ocular problems  specifically , no history of uveitis  underwent alexandrite laser - assisted hair removal of both eyebrows . approximately 46 hours post - procedure , the patient began to experience pain , redness , and photophobia in the left eye . the next day , she presented at our clinic with the same complaints . upon ophthalmic evaluation , best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes . examination of the right eye was normal . there was moderate ciliary injection and 2+/3 + cells in the anterior chamber of the left eye . the patient reported that she had closed her eyes and covered them with her fingers during the laser hair removal procedure . istanbul , turkey ; eight times per day ) and cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1% ( sikloplejin ; abdi ibrahim , istanbul , turkey ; three times per day ) eye drops were prescribed . three days after the initiation of topical treatment , there was a reduction in anterior chamber cells to 1+/2 + and conjunctival injection . topical prednisolone eye drops were tapered to five times per day , and cyclopentolate hydrochloride was tapered to two times per day . two weeks later , the left eye was white , and the anterior chamber was clear . topical medications were gradually reduced and then discontinued . at the end of the 3-week follow - up , best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes ; slit - lamp biomicroscopy , intraocular pressure , and fundus examination of the left eye remained normal . at approximately 1 year post - procedure several types of lasers and light sources have been effective for unwanted body and facial hair reduction , including red spectrum ruby ( 694 nm ) , near - infrared red spectrum alexandrite laser ( 755 nm ) , diode laser ( 800 nm ) , neodymium - doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser ( 1,064 nm ) , and intense pulsed light ( 5901,200 nm ) . these lasers work on the principle of selective photothermolysis , with the melanin in the hair follicles acting as the chromophore . the red and near - infrared wavelengths of the lasers penetrate the dermis , where they are absorbed by melanin in hair follicles.14 with a wavelength of 755 nm , the alexandrite laser system is well absorbed by follicular melanin . the amount of energy absorbed depends on interference from other melanin - containing structures . in the anterior segment of the eye , the iris and ciliary body are tissues composed of melanin , which could be damaged from laser exposure during photoepilation . thermal damage from alexandrite laser can occur to a depth of several millimeters , depending on user settings and skin type.3,513 alexandrite laser using an average fluency of 1520 j / cm ( 750 j / cm ) , with a 10 mm spot size ( 1015 mm ) , at either a 5 , 10 , or 20 ms ( range : 5300 ms ) pulse duration.2,14 as a result of bell s phenomenon , elevation of the globe with lid closure during photoepilation causes absorption of laser energy and subsequent damage , with inflammation and pigment dispersion . the thin skin of the eyelids fails to prevent the penetration of laser beams into the eye ; thus , ocular damage can occur.4,5,8,1012 in the literature , many adverse effects following laser hair removal procedures have been reported , such as anterior uveitis , pupillary distortion , posterior synechiae , iris atrophy , nuclear cataract , visual field defect , macular hole , and retinal scarring.313 elkin et al8 reported a 41-year - old male with bilateral iritis and iris atrophy without posterior synechiae . yalnda and uzun10 reported a 36-year - old female who presented with unilateral anterior uveitis with posterior synechiae . carrim et al11 reported a case of iris damage , acute anterior uveitis , and acute pigment dispersion with secondary increased intraocular pressure following use of alexandrite laser for photoepilation of the eyebrows . parver et al12 described six cases of ocular injury directly related to laser hair removal / reduction procedures for the eyebrow , both with and without protective eye devices . in each case , the associated iris damage was permanent , and topical steroids were needed to address the associated uveitis . in one case , there was steroid - induced glaucoma that abated , but in another case , there was progression from ocular hypertension to uncontrolled glaucoma that required invasive intervention . in two cases , there was lens damage , leading to cataract surgery . anaya - alaminos et al13 described a case of retinal injury ( foveal photocoagulation ) directly related to an alexandrite laser hair removal procedure . there are different factors that affect the safety of laser hair removal around the eyes : laser irradiance , exposure duration , spot size , and safety eyewear.1,2,14 it is understood from previously published laser user guides and reports that whether the laser parameters are changed or not , inadequate shielding will increase the risk of external and internal eye tissue damage . in this case , though epilation was done for both the eyebrows , only one eye was affected . this may be due to the differences in the laser parameters applied , or the displacement of the laser probe or misdirection of the laser beam toward the eye . the last one is one of the most possible failures caused because of the practitioners . unfortunately , which alexandrite laser hair removal parameters were used in this case is unknown . this report describes a new case of anterior uveitis caused by alexandrite laser - assisted hair removal of eyebrows while not wearing protective eyewear . this method should not be suggested as a simple procedure , and individuals should be informed of the rare but potentially serious side effects . furthermore , use of protective devices such as metal goggles should be mandatory during laser hair removal of the eyebrows .
ocular tissues are known to be sensitive to damage from exposure to laser emissions . 
 this study reports the case of a female patient with acute unilateral anterior uveitis caused by alexandrite laser - assisted hair removal of the eyebrows . 
 we report a 38-year - old female who presented with unilateral eye pain , redness , and photophobia after receiving alexandrite ( 755 nm ) laser epilation of both eyebrows . 
 best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes . 
 right eye examination was normal . 
 left eye examination showed conjunctival injection and 2+/3 + cells in the anterior chamber . 
 intraocular pressure and fundus examination were normal . 
 topical steroids and cycloplegic drops were prescribed for 3 weeks . at the end of the 3-week follow - up , best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 , and intraocular pressure and fundus examination were normal in both eyes . 
 the left eye was white , and the anterior chamber was clear . 
 the patient continues to be monitored . in conclusion , without adequate protective eyewear , laser hair removal of the eyebrows with alexandrite laser can lead to ocular damage .