title: [Nd:YAG Laser for retrohyaloidal haemorrhage after retinal branch vein occlusion].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A retrohyaloidal haemorrhage can be caused by different underlying diseases. Usually dense haemorrhages are treated by early vitrectomy. We want to report the successful treatment of a retrohyaloidal haemorrhage by means of Nd:YAG laser membranotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 47-year-old man noticed two weeks before presentation a sudden visual loss in the left eye. Visual acuity on the first visit was c. c. 20/32 OD and c. c. 20/400 ex. OS. Dilated fundus examination of the left eye showed multiple intraretinal haemorrhages in the superior periphery and a dense retrohyaloidal haemorrhage over the macula. Anamnestic risk factors for ocular bleeding were systemic hypertension in connection with adiposity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A retinal branch vein occlusion with retrohyaloidal haemorrhage due to systemic hypertension was diagnosed. To drain the retrohyaloidal haemorrhage into the vitreous an Nd:YAG laser membranotomy of the anterior surface of the haemorrhage was performed. Visual acuity increased to 20/100 within 30 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Possible therapeutic options to manage retrohyaloidal haemorrhages are observation, primary vitrectomy and Nd:YAG laser membranotomy. The presented case shows laser membranotomy to be a promising possibility for a rapid resolution of retrohyaloidal haemorrhage in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik und Poliklinik, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. munkwitz@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munkwitz
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Foerster
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heimann
mesh_terms: D019773:Epiretinal Membrane; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000601:surgery*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery