Valsalva-like Retinopathy Following Hyperopic Laser In Situ Keratomileusis

A 50-year-old woman presented with uni- lateral acute loss of vision 15 hours after undergo- ing bilateral hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). She denied "straining." Fluorescein angi- ography showed no retinal vascular abnormalities but demonstrated blocked fluorescence correspond - ing with subhyaloid, intraretinal, and subretinal hemorrhages seen clinically in the left eye. YAG laser vitreolysis was performed after noting posterior cor- tical vitreous thickening with a loculated subhyaloid hemorrhage. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was restored to 20/20 by the 2-month follow-up ex- amination. Valsalva-like retinopathy, possibly the re- sult of the rapid rise and fall of intraocular pressure during the microkeratome and suction ring opera- tion, may occur following hyperopic LASIK surgery. (Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2006;37:486- 488.)