Persistent unsealed internal limiting membrane after Nd:YAG laser treatment for valsalva retinopathy

To report a long-term complication of unsealed and un-reattached internal limiting membrane in Valsalva retinopathy after neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser membranotomy.

A 41-year-old man presenting with a massive premacular hemorrhage due to Valsalva retinopathy underwent Nd:YAG laser membranotomy. During follow-up, best-corrected visual acuity, retinal alteration and optical coherence tomography (OCT) outcomes were documented. One month after membranotomy, his visual acuity improved to 20/20 and the hemorrhage resolved completely. At an 8-month follow-up visit, the fundus showed progressive wrinkling of the internal limiting membrane with the laser perforation located in the center. OCT showed a persistent unsealed and un-reattached internal limiting membrane.

Not all patients with Valslava retinopathy with premacular hemorrhage are appropriate candidates for laser membranotomy, especially patients with sub- internal limiting membrane hemorrhage. The key point for observation is the interface between internal limiting membrane and retinal surface. The long-term consequences of unsealed internal limiting membrane after Nd:YAG laser membranotomy require further understanding.