Erbium:YAG laser surgery of the vitreous and retina

These studies evaluated an erbium:YAG laser for transection of vitreous membranes, retinotomy, and incision and ablation of epiretinal membranes.

Elevated vitreous membranes, detachments, and epiretinal membranes were induced in rabbit eyes. An erbium:YAG laser, emitting at a wavelength of 2.94 microns and equipped with a flexible fiber and endoprobes with tips ranging from 75 to 375 microns, was used to perform vitreous membrane transections, retinotomies, and epiretinal membrane incisions and ablations in nontransmitting aqueous media with the endoprobe in proximity to the tissue. Ablations of epiretinal membranes also were performed in transmitting media, including air and perfluoro-N-octane with the endoprobe elevated above the membrane.

Twenty-five vitreous membrane transections were made in 16 eyes at distances ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 mm from the retina with radiant exposures ranging from 2 to 50 J/cm2 with nonhemorrhagic retinal damage in a single transection. Sharp, linear retinotomies were created successfully in five eyes. Epiretinal membrane ablations were performed with radiant exposures ranging from 1.8 to 22.6 J/cm2. In aqueous media, results of microscopic examination showed partial- to full-thickness ablation with a maximum lateral thermal damage of 50 microns. In air- and perfluoro-N-octane-filled eyes, there was increased lateral damage with desiccation of residual tissue. In 12 aqueous-filled eyes, 18 linear incisions were successfully performed, with retinal nonhemorrhagic damage in 2 eyes and hemorrhage in 5.

The erbium:YAG laser may provide new approaches to maneuvers performed in vitreoretinal surgery.