AIM:To discuss the characteristic of retinoschisis in patients with myopia and the significance of preventive photocoagulation before laser surgery for myopia.METHODS:A total of 22 eyes in 12 patients suffering from myopia combined with retinoschisis were included.The mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.82±0.13 and the mean preoperative spherical equivalent of the subjective refraction was 6.50±3.98D.The patients underwent preventive photocoagulation 1 month before the laser surgery for myopia.RESULTS:All the eyes that received preventive photocoagulation for retinoschisis had no retinal detachment after laser surgery for myopia.CONCLUSION:A thorough fundus examination is necessary before the surgery for myopia.The retinoschisis should be recognized and treated with preventive photocoagulation.The laser surgery for myopia is safe after preventive photocoagulation for these indicated patients.