Evaluation of pulsed Nd:YAG laser posterior hyaloidotomy as an emergency treatment for blinding premacular subhyaloid hemorrhage

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of Nd:YAG laser posterior hyaloidotomy as a method allowing rapid drainage of subhyaloid hemorrhage into the vitreous gel. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, prospective, interventional, controlled case series. METHODS: Nd:YAG laser posterior hyaloidotomy was performed in four eyes of three patients with premacular subhyaloid hemorrhage. The etiologies were bleeding tendency, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and idiopathic. Four eyes of four patients with premacular subhyaloid hemorrhage were managed conservatively. The etiologies were proliferative diabetic retinopathy and Valsalva retinopathy. RESULTS: A rapid resolution of subhyaloid hemorrhage with improvement of visual acuity was achieved in all patients treated with Nd:YAG laser posterior hyaloidotomy, without evidence of damage to the retina or choroid. With regard to the conservatively managed eyes, there was a tendency towards slow spontaneous absorption of hemorrhage during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser posterior hyaloidotomy was a safe and effective procedure for rapid resolution of premacular subhyaloid hemorrhage, allowing rapid restoration of visual acuity, visualization of the underlying retina, expedited access for macular photocoagulation and avoidance of vitrectomy.