Laser synechialysis to prevent membrane recurrence on silicone intraocular lenses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether laser posterior synechialysis will prevent recurrence of pigmented membranes that can form on the anterior surface of silicone intraocular lenses.


METHODS
Three patients (four eyes) had posterior synechiae and silicone intraocular lens surface membranes that required long-term corticosteroid treatment. Posterior synechiae were lysed by an Nd:YAG laser (1 to 2 mJ per burst; 148 to 485 applications; total energy, 296 to 896 mJ).


RESULTS
All four eyes remained free of recurrence from 12 to 14 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Silicone intraocular lens surface membranes emanated from posterior synechiae. The Nd:YAG laser synechialysis prevented recurrence and allowed discontinuation of corticosteroids.
Flynn
W J
WJ
Section of Ophthalmology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, USA.
Carlson
D W
DW
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007499:Iris Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery
D012826:Silicone Elastomers