Affiliation:
1. UPMC Whitfield, Co. Waterford
2. UPMC Kildare
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose:To retrospectively assess the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis for managing symptomatic vitreous floaters using vitreous opacity area quantification.
Methods: Patients who underwent laser vitreolysis from May 2015 to February 2020 at a private clinic with a minimum follow-up of 3-months were enrolled into this retrospective, non-comparative cohort study. Vitreous opacity areas quantification was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included patient satisfaction outcomes post-vitreolysis, the need to proceed to vitrectomy, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intraocular pressure (IOP), recorded at baseline and all follow-ups.
Results:100 eyes from 100 patients were followed for an average of 15 months (range: 3-53 months). Of these, complete resolution (35%) or improvement (54%) of vitreous opacities was observed with vitreous opacity area quantification, constituting a treatment success of 89%. 78% reported complete resolution or improvement in floater symptoms at the 1-month post-vitreolysis visit. At the last follow-up, a similar report was noted in 72% of eyes. There was less need for vitrectomy in 86 eyes. There was significant improvement in BCVA, as well as a reduction in IOP, from baseline at the final post-operative visits (p<0.05 for both). Finally, an intra-operative complication rate of 3% was recorded.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis may result in objective and symptomatic improvements in patients undergoing the procedure, with a limited rate of complications. Floater symptoms may recur with time following laser vitreolysis, necessitating the need for repetition. More clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC