Posters

Neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in the lateral decubitus position

Poster Details

First Author: P.Mandal UK

Co Author(s): J. Virdee   A. Brown   P. Haigh   I. Khan           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report a novel surgical technique of performing a Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy in patients unable to tolerate the procedure whilst awake in an outpatient setting. We present high quality images to enable clinicians to consider this practice in their own units.

Setting:

Eye Unit, Royal Stoke University Hospital, UK

Methods:

We report the case of a 55 year-old male who, due to severe learning difficulties, was unable to tolerate an outpatient capsulotomy. We removed the chin rest from the OptoYAG&SLT laser machine. The patient was given a general anaesthetic and taken in the operating theatre. He was placed in the lateral decubitus position, with the fine adjustments of head position done with foam headrests. The patient was stabilised with the help of ancillary theatre staff. Using a contact lens we delivered 81.00mJ of energy to the patient's right eye and 120.00 mJ of entry to the patients left eye.

Results:

Post procedural IOP was 15mmHg in the right and 16mmHg in the left eye with the iCare. Visual acuity at final outpatient appointment had improved drastically. The patient had no immediate or longer term complications.

Conclusions:

This technique can be performed on patients unable to tolerate the procedure, minimising the risk of misdelivering energy as may be the case with a non-compliant patient, and thus reducing the risks associated with a capsulotomy. It achieves good visual outcomes, aids the monitoring of posterior segment disease, and improves the quality of life for patients.

Financial Disclosure:

None