Effect of neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet laser posterior capsulotomy on intraocular pressure

Abstract

Objective: To find out whether there exists a correlation between the quantum of energy used and the amount of rise of intraocular pressure (IOP) following neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 patients who had undergone Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy for the management of posterior capsule opacification with a minimum of 3 months following cataract surgery were enrolled after taking written informed consent. After detailed history and ocular examination, Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy was performed. Prelaser IOP was noted. Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed. Laser energy used was noted following which postlaser IOP was also recorded after 1, 2, and 4 h postprocedure. Paired t-test was used for the comparison of means of IOP and energy levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to predict the cut-off value of energy on the basis of change of IOP from baseline. Results: The mean energy used in the Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy procedure for all patients was 58.57 ± 34.63 mJ. The mean IOP at 1st h follow-up was 15.32 ± 2.91 mmHg, at 2nd h follow-up was 16.24 ± 3.23 mmHg, and at 4th h follow-up was 16.18 ± 3.35 mmHg. At all three follow-ups, the mean change in IOP was found to be statistically significant (P Conclusion: Postlaser IOP rise is minimal and transient; it varies with the amount of energy used.