The indications for two types of pulsed Nd: YAG lasers in the treatment of vitreous pathology are reviewed. A series of 94 eyes from 93 patients were treated with the mode-locked system and 72 eyes from 71 patients were treated with the Q-switched system. A classification of vitreous pathology with prognostic value for the efficacy of treatment of both lasers is established.
For the Q-switched laser the range of indications in the posterior pole is larger and fewer sessions are needed; however, complications are more frequent than with the mode-locked laser. This difference is due to the higher energy needed with the Q-switched laser to treat more severe vitreous pathology.
FankhauserF., LirtscherH.P., Van Der ZypenE.. Clinical studies on high and low power laser radiation upon some structures of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Int Ophthalmol1982; 5: 15–32.
2.
FankhauserF., KwasniewskaS., Van Der ZypenE.. Vitreolysis with the Q-switched laser. Arch Ophthalmol1985; 103: 1166–71.
3.
Aron-RosaD., CohnH.C., AronJ.J.. The use of a pulsed Neodym-YAG (picosecond) in endocular surgery. Report on 6500 cases and a follow up of 4 years. In: BirngruberR., GabelV.P., eds. Photocoagulation of the eye. Doc Ophthalmol Proc Ser 36.The Hague, Dr W Junk Publishers, 1982; 145–9.
4.
KreissigI., StanowskyA.. Kann der Neodym-YAG-Laser Anwendung in der Behandlung ausgewälter Nethautablösungen finden?Sitzungsber 146 Vers Vereins Rhein Westf Augenärtze, 1984; 146: 85–90.
5.
KreissigI., KuckH., HaustrateF., FahleM.. Le laser YAG a-t-il une place dans la chirurgie du segment postérieur de l'oeil?Bull Soc Belge Ophtalmol1987; 220: 23–41.
6.
KreissigI.. Is there a place for the YAG laser in the posterior segment of the eye? In: WollensackJ. ed. Laser in der Ophthalmologie, Stuttgart: Enke Verlag, 1988; 93–106.
7.
LittleH.L., JackP.L.. Q-switched Neodymium YAG laser surgery of the vitreous. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol1986; 224: 240–6.
8.
TassignonM.J., StempelsN., BrihayeM., HerzeelR.. Vitreoretinal membranes treated with the Q-switched YAG laser: a clinical study. Lasers Ophthalmol1987; 1: 205–10.
9.
TassignonM.J., StempelsN., BrihayeM.. Indications for Q-switched Nd: YAG laser in vitreous pathology. Laser Light Ophthalmol1989; 2: 163–72.
10.
KreissigI., LincoffH., WolksteinM.. Erfahrungsbericht über ein konservatives Vorgehen zur Behandlung der akuten Glaskörperblutung. Klin Mbl Augenheilk1977; 170: 1–9.
11.
HorvenI.. A radioautograpic study of erythrocyte phagocyting cells in the rabbit eye. Acta Ophthalmol1964; 42: 800–11.
12.
GreerD.F., BensonW.F., SpalterH.E.. A study of simulated vitreous hemorrhages using labeled blood. Arch Ophthalmol1968; 4: 755–8.
Von SallmanL.. Experimental studies on the vitreous. II. Experiments on the disappearance of red blood cells from the vitreous. Arch Ophthalmol1950; 43: 638–52.
15.
BensonW.E., WirostokoE., SpalterH.F.. The effect of inflammation on experimentally induced vitreous hemorrhage. Arch Ophthalmol1969; 82: 822–6.
16.
BensonW.E., SpalterH.F.. Vitreous hemorrhage: a review of experimental and clinical investigation. Surv Ophthalmol1971; 15: 197–311.
17.
WorstJ.G.F.. Cisternal systems of the fully developed vitreous body in the young adult. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK, 1977; 97: 550–4.
18.
SmithR.S., Van HeuvenW.A.S., StreetenB.. Vitreous membranes - a light and electron microscopic study. Arch Ophthalmol1976; 94: 1556–60.
19.
ForresterJ.V., LeeW.R., WilliamsonJ.. The pathology of vitreous hemorrhage I. Gross and histological appearance. Arch Ophthalmol1978; 96: 703–10.
RolP., FankhauserF., KwasniewskaS.. A new contact lens for posterior vitreous photodisruption. Invest Ophthalmol Visc Sci1986; 27: 946–50.
23.
PuliafitoC.A., WassonP.S., SteinertR.F., GragoudasE.S.. YAG laser surgery on experimental vitreous membranes. Arch Ophthalmol1984; 102: 843–7.
24.
HirokawaH., JalkhA.E., TakahashiM., TrempeC.L., SchepensC.L.. Role of the vitreous in idiopathic preretinal macular fibrosis. Am J Ophthalmol1986; 101: 166–7.
