Evaluation of Vitreoretinal Changes after Nd: YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the vitreoretinal changes after Neodymium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd: YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy in patients with posterior capsular opacification after cataract extraction. Patients and Methods: 60 pseudophakic eyes of 50 patients with opacified posterior capsule after uncomplicated cataract surgery treated by Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Patients were divided according to the preoperative refractive state of the eye into three groups (Myopic, Hypermetropic, and Emmetropic). Vitreoretinal assessment was done pre and post YAG capsulotomy. Results: The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) had improved after YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in all groups (p < 0.001). Although there was no significant correlation between the refractive state of the eye and changes in CMT measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) (p < 0.096), however, there was a statistically significant increase in CMT before and one week after YAG posterior capsulotomy (p < 0.001) without any detectable clinical effect on the BCVA. Conclusion: Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is the standard treatment for posterior capsular opacification [PCO] and gives rise to rapid improvement in visual acuity relieving the symptoms of blurring, photophobia, and glare.