Abstract : We describe two cases of parafoveal Q-switched laser retinal injuries which illustrate the variability of the processes set in motion by retinal laser injuries. The first case demonstrates that parafoveal lesions may cause an immediate degradation in visual functions which may recover spontaneously to almost normal levels. In the second, multiple parafoveal exposure sites produced central retinal scars at the parafoveal lesion sites and resulted in retinal traction over an extensive region of the retina with local retinal hole formation at the edge of the central scar. A central arucate absolute scotoma appeared shortly after exposure. The central scotoma, as well as visual acuity, stationary and dynamic contrast sensitivity functions were permanently altered. No treatment presently exists to alleviate or minimize the effects of this retinal scarring process.