Clinical experience with the Nd:YAG laser

This study presents the results and complications of 389 patients who were treated with the Nd:YAG laser between September 1982 and November 1983 with at least a six-month follow-up. The majority of patients had a secondary discission of the posterior capsule. Other procedures included vitreolysis, iridotomy, pupilloplasty, synechialysis, intraocular suture cutting, cutting of intraocular lens haptics, and removal of anterior pseudophakic pigmented precipitates. We have purposely avoided performing preoperative laser anterior capsulotomies and have been unsuccessful in reopening freshly sealed trabeculectomy sites. The visual acuity improved in 83.1% of patients. No statistically significant difference in visual outcome was detected in relation to the time interval between surgery and Nd:YAG laser treatment. The most common adverse finding was an increase in intraocular pressure, which occurred to some degree in 63% of patients. Rare complications included cystoid macular edema and retinal detachment. No statistical correlation between these complications and preexisting conditions or intraoperative variables could be found.