title: Indications for Q-switched and mode-locked Nd: YAG lasers in vitreoretinal pathology.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Free University Hospital of Brussels VUB, Belgium.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tassignon
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kreissig
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stempels
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brihaye
mesh_terms: D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005355:Fibrosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*