[Erbium:YAG laser vitrectomy. Initial clinical results]. / Erbium: YAG-Laser-Vitrektomie. Erste klinische Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: Much interest has been expressed in recent years in the use of erbium:YAG lasers in ophthalmology, particularly for vitrectomy and phacoemulsification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed 54 operations (49 primary, 5 secondary) for pars plana vitrectomy on 53 eyes of 53 patients using the Phacolase erbium:YAG laser at a frequency of 10-100 Hz single-pulse energy of 5-50 mJ. RESULTS: The operation was successful in 51 cases,while in three we had to resort to mechanical vitrectomy due to initial technical problems. CONCLUSION: Erbium:YAG laser vitrectomy was generally fast and caused little mechanical stress to the retina. Complications were only those known from mechanical vitrectomy.The handpiece showed good properties for removing vitreous but not for cutting membranes, although new handpieces specifically for the cutting of membranes are under development.