title: A safe Nd:YAG retroprosthetic membrane removal technique for keratoprosthesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a technique for Nd:YAG laser photodiscission of retroprosthetic membrane (RPM) in keratoprosthesis patients that minimizes damage to the optic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective review of Boston type I keratoprosthesis patients at 1 site who received Nd:YAG treatment for RPM from 2005 to 2009. Outcomes were based on slit-lamp examination of the optic immediately after YAG treatment, tactile intraocular pressure at follow-up, and complications from the outpatient procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of RPM was 24.1% (39 of 162 eyes). Of 26 RPM eyes receiving YAG treatment, 18 had 1 YAG treatment, 6 had multiple YAG treatments, and 2 had surgical excision despite multiple YAG treatments because of membrane thickness. All 26 eyes had no intraoperative complications, no damage to the optic from slit-lamp examination, and soft tactile intraocular pressures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the office procedures from our patient base, YAG retroprosthetic membranectomy using a peripheral "can-opener" approach is effective and safe with no evident damage to the optic.
authors.affiliation: Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. gchak@stanfordalumni.org
authors.forename: Garrick
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chak
authors.forename: James V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Aquavella
mesh_terms: D001187:Artificial Organs; D003315:Cornea; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008566:Membranes / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies