Neodymium YAG laser and surgical synechiolysis of iridocapsular adhesions.
OBJECTIVE
Several articles have been published on the successful elimination of iridolenticular synechiae after cataract extraction with a neodymium YAG laser (Nd:YAG laser) and surgical synechiolysis during cataract surgery, but the indications recommending which method is proper to use for specific kinds of adhesions have not yet been established.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 106 patients who had undergone Nd:YAG laser or surgical synechiolysis between January 2002 and December 2007 in our clinic. Laser synechiolysis was performed in the synechiae not exceeding the extent of one clock hour and reaching only to the iris sphincter, whereas surgical synechiolysis was performed in other diffuse and/or thick synechiae.


RESULTS
Surgical synechiolysis was performed in 93 eyes, and YAG laser synechiolysis was done in 21 eyes. Increases in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed in 61 eyes (53.51%). Intraocular pressure spikes after the procedure were present in only 4 eyes, and all of them were transient except for 1 eye, which needed additional glaucoma eyedrops.


CONCLUSIONS
With suitable indications, laser or surgical synechiolysis can be performed safely, and a small rise in visual acuity may also be expected.
Kim
Eun Ah
EA
Department of Ophthalmology, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
Bae
Min Chul
MC
Cho
Young Wook
YW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007499:Iris Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D007905:Lens Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity
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