Nd:YAG laser therapy for non-resolving premacular subhyaloid hemorrhage in Saudi patients

PURPOSE: To report anatomical and visual outcomes of Nd:YAG laser posterior hyaloidotomy (NYPH) in Saudi patients affected by Premacular subhyaloid haemorrhage (PMSHH). METHODS: 8 eyes from 8 patients (7 males and one female) were treated with NYPH when no spontaneous resolution of PMSHH was noticed. The cause of PMSHH was proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in 3 cases, Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in 2 cases, Valsalva retinopathy in 2 cases, and laser pointer injury in one case. The YAG laser was delivered using a Q switched mode and 3 mirrors contact lens. One attempt of laser delivery was enough in 6 cases and 2 cases needed 2 attempts. The laser power needed ranged between 2 and 4 mJ. RESULTS: Anatomical success was achieved in all cases. The mean LogMAR VA improved from 1.5 before treatment to 0.3 post-treatment. The difference is statistically significant (p = 0.012). No complications related to Nd:YAG laser therapy was reported in any of the study cases until the last follow up. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report the outcomes of NYPH for non-resolving PMSHH in Saudi cases. In this small cases series, the procedure seems to be safe, effective, simple, cheap, and non-invasive treatment modality for this disorder that is conducted in the outpatient setting. We think it should be considered as a first option for cases of SHH covering the fovea due to various aetiologies.