Ocular hypertension following Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy: a potentially blinding complication

A dense secondary membrane was treated with a Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy with marked improvement in visual acuity, from count fingers to 6/9 (20/40). Four hours following therapy, visual acuity in the treated eye was no light perception, due to extreme ocular hypertension (over 80 mm Hg). The extreme elevation in intraocular pressure appears to have been caused by cellular debris obstructing the trabecular meshwork in an angle already compromised by angle recession. An emergency paracentesis was successful in restoring the visual acuity.