A retrospective study on the safety of YAG laser vitreolysis for the treatment of symptomatic floaters

Session Details

Session Title: Quality of Vision and Dry Eye

Session Date/Time: Sunday 08/10/2017 | 08:00-09:30

Paper Time: 09:12

Venue: Room 3.4

First Author: : I.Singh USA

Co Author(s): :                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To identify and evaluate the incidence and nature of complications and adverse events associated with YAG laser vitreolysis.

Setting:

The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA

Methods:

In a retrospective analysis, patients who underwent YAG laser vitreolysis for the treatment of symptomatic floaters and had at least 1-4 years of follow-up were evaluated for incidences of complications and adverse events. In all cases, the Ellex Ultra Q Reflex YAG laser (Ellex Medical Lasers, Adelaide, Australia) was used to vaporize floaters, with an average power of 6 mJ per laser shot.

Results:

From 1272 procedures performed in 680 patients, 10 adverse events (0.8%) were recorded: seven cases of intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes, two cases of phakic lens hit and one retinal hemorrhage. The patients with IOP spikes were placed on topical antihypertensive medications and controlled (average post-medication IOP, 19 mm Hg). One of the phakic lens hit patients subsequently required cataract surgery and achieved a corrected visual acuity of 20/20. The other phakic lens hit patient is still under observation. The retinal hemorrhage case resolved in 2 months with no long-term effects. There were no complaints of floaters worsening after treatment ended.

Conclusions:

This retrospective safety review of YAG vitreolysis for the treatment of symptomatic floaters demonstrates that the procedure is safe, with a very low rate of complications and adverse effects.

Financial Disclosure:

receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented