Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis versus pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous floaters

Abstract

There are currently no RCTs that compare Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis with pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of symptomatic floaters. Properly designed RCTs are needed to evaluate the treatment outcomes from the interventions described. We recommend future studies randomise participants to either a Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis group or a vitrectomy group, with participants in each group assigned to either receive treatment or a sham intervention. Future studies should follow participants at six months and 12 months after the intervention. Also they should use best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using an Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart read at 4 metres, vision-related quality of life (VRQOL), and adverse outcomes as the outcome measures of the trial.

Posterior Vitreous Detachment, Retinal Breaks, and Lattice Degeneration Preferred Practice Pattern®

“…97 Laser treatments and pharmacotherapies have been proposed to decrease these symptoms; however, such therapies currently lack sufficient evidence to support their use. 98 Pars plana vitrectomy has been used for removal of floaters, and improvement in contrast sensitivity function has been documented. 99 In a recent review of series that compared pars plana vitrectomy and Nd:YAG laser for floaters, 100 pars plana vitrectomy showed evidence of greater patient satisfaction compared with only moderate resolution of symptoms following the Nd:YAG laser procedure.…”

Safety and Efficacy of YAG Laser Vitreolysis for the Treatment of Vitreous Floaters: An Overview

“…Conceivably, the disruption of vitreous opacities could precipitate a complete PVD along with its attendant risks of retinal tear formation. Obviously, appropriate trials will need to be conducted in order to characterize the long-term safety and efficacy of the procedure [41]. In particular, future studies will need to clarify the role of YAG laser vitreolysis in relation to the more established option of PPV for bothersome floaters [6,42].…”

Low Cost ND: YAG Medical Laser as a Lithotripter and Laser Cautery Machine

“…In certain cases these lasers are also used to treat eye floaters. [10]. secondary malignant liver lesions.…”