Nd:YAG Laser for Treatment of Premacular Subhyaloid Hemorrhage

Background

Premacular hemorrhage may occur in conditions such as Valsalva retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy or ruptured retinal macroaneurysm. Valsalva retinopathy is a rare disease caused by a rapid increase in intraocular venous pressure which leads to a rupture of retinal perifoveal capillaries and thus to a premacular hemorrhage [1]. Observation has usually been the first line of treatment however these hemorrhages may take several months to spontaneously reabsorb, and induce significant complications such as haemoglobin macular toxicity. Alternative treatments include vitrectomy or Nd:YAG laser.

References

• 1 Duane T D. Valsalva hemorrhagic retinopathy.  Am J Opthalmol. 1973;  75 637-642
• 2 Durukan A H et al. Long-term results of Nd:YAG laser treatment for premacular subhyaloid haemorrhage owing to Valsalva retinopathy.  Eye. 2008;  22 (2) 214-218