ND-yag laser arteriotomy for central retinal artery occlusion

Purpose: To report a case of central retinal artery occlusion treated with Nd-YAG arteriotomy with successful outcome. Methods: Interventional case report of a 61-year-old man with central retinal artery occlusion who underwent an arteriotomy with embolectomy/embolysis with Nd-YAG laser. Results: Best-corrected visual acuity improved to 9/200 immediately and 20/200 one day after the procedure. Two months later, the patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy for dispersed, nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage. Three months later, the patient had cataract surgery. Visual field significantly improved centrally at 5 months after Nd-YAG laser procedure. The final visual acuity was 20/40 at 15 months after the procedure. Conclusion: Nd-YAG laser may be beneficial in selected cases of retinal artery occlusion by enhancing the restoration of blood flow in the retinal vessels. Copyright © by Ophthalmic Communications Society Inc