An Audit of IO6 YAG Laser Capsulotomies Done between January 2017 - December 2017 in St. Joseph Eye Hospital, Mgbirichi, Owerri, Imo State and Viandra Eye Clinic, Port Harcourt, Rivers State of Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To audit the YAG Laser Capsulotomy procedures done over a 12 month period from January to December 2017.
 Objective: To review YAG LASER capsulotomies done over a 12 months period from January 2017 – December 2017.
 Methods: The audit was retrospective in nature, involving collation of parameters such as age, sex, presenting visual acuity, post laser visual acuity, complications and post operative management from the patient records. The lasers were performed with SYL 9000 Ophthalmic yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) Laser systems [Lightmed Corporation, Taiwan]. This is a class 3b Laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm and Q-switched operational mode and a spot size of 8 um.
 Results: The audit involved 106 subjects. The mean age was 56.76 years. Fifty nine (55.7%) subjects were females while 44.3% were males. Eleven (10.4%) subjects had bilateral neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet ND YAG laser treatment while 89.6% had unilateral treatment. Seventy five (72.8%) of the subjects had visual improvement following treatment. Seventy four (69.8%) had less than 3 mJ quantum of energy and only 5.7% required repeat treatment. Fifty (47.2%) had between one to three days post op treatment with anti-inflammatory and/or pressure reducing drugs.
 Conclusion: Use of low energy in ND YAG laser treatment of Posterior Capsule Opacification offers good visual outcome, precludes the complication associated with higher energy treatment and does not necessarily lead to repeat treatment.