[Motion artifacts in the vitreous body during vitrectomy].
BACKGROUND
Movements and vibrations of intraocular structures can be observed during vitrectomy with mechanical cutting systems. We experimentally compared these intraocular motion artifacts between mechanical and erbium:YAG laser vitrectomy.


METHODS
The intraocular structures were reliably simulated by a 0.9-mm-wide foil (thickness 10 microns) in a water-filled cuvette. The movements caused by commercial mechanical cutter systems were compared with vibration induced by means of laser surgery probes (laser pulse energy 20 mJ). Laser triangulation was used to measure the movement amplitudes at various cutting rates of 2, 5, and 10 Hz and a constant suction force of 50 mmHg.


RESULTS
At all cutting rates the amplitude with the laser was less than that with the mechanical system. The ratio of the maximal amplitude between laser surgery probes (AL) and mechanical cutter system (AM) was AL/AM = 0.29 at 10 Hz, AL/AM = 0.33 at 5 Hz, and AL/AM = 0.45 at 2 Hz.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduced intraocular movements with erbium:YAG laser vitrectomy constitutes a potential advantage for the nonpulsatile vitrectomy.
Riedel
P
P
Augenklinik im Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus der TU Dresden.
Mrochen
M
M
Donitzky
C
C
Seiler
T
T
D004871:Erbium; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015019:Yttrium
D015019:Yttrium; D004871:Erbium