Decompression retinopathy has been reported as a rare occurrence, subsequent to Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy for the treatment of acute angle closure. Herein a case of a 67-year-old woman is described who developed decompression retinopathy in conjunction with unexpectedly severe corneal stromal oedema following Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy for acute angle closure. The literature regarding these phenomena is reviewed.