AIM: To observe the effect of Nd:YAG laser ablation on vitreous floaters.

METHODS: From October 2016 to January 2017, 78 cases(84 eyes)with vitreous floaters treated with Nd:YAG laser ablation were involved. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney Test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman test were used to compare the therapeutic effect with different etiologies and grades.

RESULTS: After two-week treatment, there were 66 eyes(79%)with a significant resolution, 16 eyes(19%)with an improvement and 2 eyes(2%)invalid. The total effective rate was 98%. There was no significant difference between the therapeutic effect and times in different etiologies(H=3.842,P=0.146; χ²=0.070, P=0.966); the effective rate were 100% in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ, 92% in grade Ⅲ, 83% in grade Ⅳ, and the grade had a negative correlation with the therapeutic effect(r_s=-0.027, P=0.013). There were 38 eyes(90%)in grade Ⅰ, 21 eyes(88%)in grade Ⅱ, 9 eyes(75%)in grade Ⅲ, and 2 eyes(33%)in grade Ⅳ needed once treatment. There was significant difference between different grades and treatment times(U=2.580, P=0.010).

CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser ablation is a simple and convenient operation for vitreous floaters, and could improve the symptom of vitreous floater rapidly.