Identifying maculopathy after neodymium: YAG membranotomy for dense diabetic premacular hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To assess the value of neodymium:YAG membranotomy in achieving rapid intravitreal dispersion of dense diabetic premacular hemorrhage and allowing the identification and treatment of maculopathy before panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).

METHODS

A pilot study, in which nine eyes with dense diabetic premacular hemorrhages were treated with neodymium:YAG membranotomy, is described. After intravitreal dispersion of premacular blood, fundus examination and fluorescein angiography were performed to identify neovascularization and macular edema. Macular photocoagulation was performed before PRP in eyes with co-existing maculopathy and neovascularization.

RESULTS

Complete intravitreal dispersion was achieved in all eyes within 1 week. Clinically significant macular edema was identified and treated, before PRP, in three eyes. No exacerbation of macular edema occurred after PRP, and visual acuity was stabilized at pre-hemorrhage levels in seven eyes and to within one line in the remaining two eyes. No traction retinal detachments or rebleeding occurred, and vitrectomy was not required in any eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Early neodymium:YAG membranotomy may obviate the need for early vitrectomy for dense diabetic premacular hemorrhage, and allows early identification and treatment of maculopathy, before PRP, thus reducing the risk of exacerbation after PRP. Further studies to evaluate this treatment modality, particularly with respect to long-term visual prognosis, appear warranted.