Posterior capsulotomy as a complication of indirect laser photocoagulation

Two pseudophakic patients with posterior chamber intraocular lens implants and intact posterior capsules underwent indirect laser photocoagulation during their immediate postoperative period (24 and 72 hours postoperatively, respectively). Laser treatment was indicated for a retinal break noted after vitrectomy and scleral buckling in one patient and after peribulbar perforation during cataract extraction in the other patient. Ocular media were hazy because of vitreous haze and hemorrhage in both eyes and higher power laser settings were required to produce adequate chorioretinal burns during photocoagulation. Inadvertent large posterior capsulotomy as a complication was noted in both eyes. High-power settings and hazy ocular media are risk factors toward this complication. We recommend that slit-lamp examination be performed before, during, and after indirect laser treatment, especially when higher power settings are required.