Clinical experience with Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis in the anterior segment

The clinical experience of two surgeons performing Nd:YAG laser anterior vitreolysis to disrupt vitreous strands adherent to surgical wounds with and without pupillary distortions and/or cystoid macular edema is presented. We describe our technique. The results indicate that vision improved in 50% of the cases, with visual acuity improving from 20/40 or better in three of 20 eyes preoperatively to 11 of 20 eyes postoperatively. No adverse effects or complications occurred in any of our 20 patients. Neodymium:YAG laser vitreolysis should be considered presently as the method of choice for initial treatment of vitreous strands incarcerated in the wound.