Nd:YLF Laser Sclerostomy

We used a Q-switched Nd:YLF picosecond laser, operating at the 1053-nanometer wavelength with a spot separation of 10 microns and a crossing width of 1000 x 10 microns in a rectangular pattern, to create ab externo sclerostomies in 12 New Zealand white rabbits. The mean energy used was 30 J (range, 24 to 65 J). Filtering blebs were observed for 1 week, with a concurrent drop in intraocular pressure. Histology performed at days 3, 10, and 30 revealed clean-cut sclerostomies, with minimal thermal and mechanical damage.