Nd: YAG laser for drainage of subinternal limiting membrane hemorrhage [Sub ILM]

ABSTRACT

To highlight the efficacy and drawbacks of drainage of premacular hemorrhage into the vitreous with an NdYAG laser. Eight eyes were included in our study. A pulsed NdYAG laser was used to drain the entrapped, circumscribed, premacular blood into the vitreous cavity using a standard Goldmann 3-mirror lens. The follow-up period ranged from 8 to 28 months. The follow up period ranged from 8 to 28 months [mean= 18 months]. In 7 eyes, visual acuity improved within 3 weeks a least two lines or more according to standard Snellen chart. In one eye there was a persistent, dense, non-clearing vitreous opacity for 4 months that finally required pars plana vitrectomy to remove this epiretinal membrane. In conclusion, drainage of sub ILM hemorrhage into the vitreous cavity using NdYAG laser is an excellent treatment alternative for eyes with recent bleeding compared to pars plana vitrectomy with favorable visual outcome: