title: Accidental macular hole following neodymium:YAG posterior capsulotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the commonest complication of cataract surgery, occurring in up to one-third of patients in a period of five years. The treatment of choice is the Neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. This treatment can be associated with several complications, some of them severe. A rare complication of this procedure is the accidental induced macular hole.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 54-year-old female patient was referred to our Department because of a severe loss of vision and a central scotoma at the right eye. The patient underwent a Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy 2 days ago, for a PCO. The fundus examination at presentation revealed a round retinal defect in the macular region, a massive inferior preretinal hemorrhage and a mild vitreous hamorrhage. A 6-months follow-up of the case, including retinography and fluorescein angiography, is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is a safe, noninvasive, and effective outpatient procedure to improve vision hindered by PCO, it must be recognized that it carries a low but definite risk of serious complications. Physicians and patients should be aware of these rare but severe complications regarding this otherwise safe procedure. Fortunately, most of the complications related to this procedure are transient and can be managed by proper medication.
authors.forename: Mihnea
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munteanu
authors.forename: Zarko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Horia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stanca
authors.forename: Cosmin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosca
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jianu
authors.forename: Ovidiu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boruga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058442:Capsule Opacification / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009354:Neodymium; D064727:Posterior Capsulotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D009354:Neodymium