Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser arteriotomy with embolectomy for central retinal artery occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a patient with central retinal artery occlusion successfully treated with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser arteriotomy and embolectomy.


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
A 77-year-old woman noted sudden loss of vision after vigorous coughing. A central retinal artery occlusion was diagnosed. Four hours after symptoms appeared, arteriotomy and embolectomy with neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was performed.


RESULTS
Displacement of embolus outside the artery with return of retinal perfusion and recovery of vision. Laser treatment also resulted in vitreous hemorrhage and false aneurysm formation of the central retinal artery.


CONCLUSIONS
Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser arteriotomy in a patient with central retinal artery occlusion resulted in extrusion of the embolus, reopening of the central retinal artery, and return of vision. This technique warrants further study as a primary treatment for this blinding disorder.
Reynard
Michael
M
Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. reynard@ucla.edu
Hanscom
Thomas A
TA
D000368:Aged; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000209:etiology; D017128:Embolectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000473:pathology; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology