Complications associated with the use of the neodymium:YAG laser

The neodymium:YAG laser was used in a consecutive series of 93 eyes. Diagnosis was opacified posterior capsule in 81 eyes of which 52 were pseudophakic, with cystoid macular edema and vitreous strands in eight eyes, pigmented anterior hyaloid in two eyes, opacified anterior capsular flap in one eye and vitreous strand blocking an anterior chamber tube shunt to an encircling band tube in one eye. Despite significant visual improvement and reduction of cystoid macular edema, a variety of complications were seen. These included pitting of the implant in 26 eyes and cracks in four, two of which developed a vitreitis. These occurred more frequently in our earlier cases. Also seen was elevated IOP in six eyes, pupillary block in two, vitreous face rupture in five, cystoid macular edema in four, hyphemas in four, corneal injury in two and acute peripheral retinal hemorrhage in one eye.