Abstract
Purpose: :
We report a successful Nd-YAG laser arteriotomy with embolectomy and/or embolysis in a case of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) with substantial improvement in visual acuity (VA), visual field (VF) and retinal circulation.
Methods: :
A 61-year-old male patient was seen in the clinic 3 hours after a CRAO. He underwent Nd-YAG laser arteriotomy with embolectomy and/or embolysis. He also underwent vitrectomy and cataract surgery within 3 months following Nd-YAG laser arteriotomy. Preoperative and serial postoperative VA, color photos, fluorescein angiograms and VFs were obtained.
Results: :
Initial VA was 1/200 and improved to 20/40 at the final visit (3.5 months). VF and retinal circulation were also improved after the procedure. It was not possible to determine clinically if partial or complete embolectomy and/or embolysis was achieved with arteriotomy.
Conclusions: :
Nd-YAG laser arteriotomy with embolysis and/or embolectomy performed within hours of diagnosis may improve VA, VF and retinal circulation in CRAO patients. To our knowledge this is the first documented improvement in VF after such a procedure.
Keywords: vascular occlusion/vascular occlusive disease • laser • retina