Effect of Neodymium-YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy on Intraocular Pressure

Abstract

Background: Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) also known as Secondary cataract is the most common complication following cataract surgery. It can occur between few months and many years after implantation of intraocular lenses (IOLs), with incidence figures ranging from <5% to as high as 50%. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of intraocular pressure elevation after Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy for treatment of PCO. Patients and Methods: A prospective non-randomized study that was conducted at Al Zahraa University Hospital. The study included a total of 40 eyes of 31 patients. All patients underwent Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Patients were followed up at 4 hours, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month after laser capsulotomy. Nine cases were bilateral, 15 were males (48%) and 16 were females (52%). Results: The majority of patients (90%) showed significant improvement in visual acuity after capsulotomy and about 87.5% of patients had final BCVA of 6/6-6/12, visual acuity after 24 hours was 6/9 in 20 eyes (50%) and 20 eyes (30%) had VA of 6/12. All the 40 patients had visual acuity improvement of 1 or more lines after capsulotomy. No one had further decline in visual acuity after capsulotomy. Conclusion: The present study depicts the Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy as a good, successful treatment of PCO, because it was found to be modern, non-invasive, effective mode of treatment of PCO with lesser complications and it does not require hospitalization.