Retinal detachment as a complication of neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet laser cyclophotocoagulation

We report a traction retinal detachment that developed within one month of transscleral neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser cyclophotocoagulation, a previously unreported complication of the new cyclodestructive procedure. A 17-year-old boy was referred to our department with uncontrolled aphakic glaucoma OD after having undergone cyclocryotherapy twice. Three treatments with transscleral Nd:YAG cyclophotocoagulation were done over nine months to lower his intraocular pressure. Hypotony and traction retinal detachment occurred after the third laser treatment and was managed successfully by vitrectomy with a fluid-gas exchange. Thus, the possibility of this additional complication should be remembered when doing transscleral Nd:YAG cyclophotocoagulation.