Internal pars plana sclerotomy with the contact Nd:YAG laser: an experimental study

Transvitreal pars plana sclerotomy using the contact Nd:YAG laser with a sapphire probe was performed on a group of rabbit eyes and compared with a similar procedure performed with a Ziegler knife. Although the intraocular pressure (IOP) was lowered in both groups of animals, the reduction was greater and more lasting in the group on which the Nd:YAG laser with sapphire probe was used. This technique may have application in cases with extensive peripheral anterior synechiae or where a vitrectomy as a combination procedure to clear ocular media is performed.