Accommodative weakness and mydriasis following laser treatment at the peripheral retina

Transient accommodative paresis and pupillary disturbances are some of the less known and uncommon complications of peripheral retinal laser treatment extending over at least one third of the retinal periphery. They are the result of damage by the laser applications to parasympathetic nerve fibers that lie beneath the coagulated area and innervate the ciliary body and iris sphincter. Six myopic patients who suffered from these complications following peripheral laser treatment for retinal tears are presented. A mechanism of direct damage to ciliary muscle fibers during photocoagulation is proposed.