Nd:YAG membranotomy for preretinal hemorrhage secondary to valsalva retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To report four cases of premacular hemorrhage secondary to valsalva retinopathy treated with Nd:YAG membranotomy and discuss techniques as well as the literature.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for four patients with vision obstructing hemorrhage secondary to valsalva retinopathy. These patients were all treated with Nd:YAG membranotomy.

RESULTS: Four patients with premacular hemorrhage secondary to valsalva retinopathy were treated with Nd:YAG laser creating a membranotomy to drain the hemorrhage. Power settings ranged from 1.7 to 3.8 mJ. Visual acuity at presentation ranged from 20/400 (1 patient) to count fingers (3 patients). Visual acuity improved in three out of four patients after laser treatment. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/30 in these three patients. One patient was lost to follow up after performing laser membranotomy and therefore visual acuity after treatment was not obtained. No complications were noted.

CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG membranotomy is a non-invasive, office-based treatment option that may be successfully used to treat premacular hemorrhage secondary to valsalva retinopathy.