Treatment of diabetic traction retinal detachment with the pulsed neodymium-YAG laser.

Three patients with diabetic traction retinal detachment not involving the central macula were treated with the pulsed neodymium-YAG laser. In each case, with energy levels of 9 to 11 mJ, vitreous traction bands were sectioned and the traction retinal detachment diminished or disappeared. Other than a small choroidal hemorrhage in one instance, no adverse side effects occurred. The pulsed neodymium-YAG laser may provide a new therapeutic modality in a few selected cases of diabetic traction retinal detachment.