Refraction, intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth changes after Nd:YAG laser treatment for posterior capsular opacification in pseudophakic eyes

Abstract

Purpose: The aim was to investigate the effect of Nd:YAG capsulotomy on refraction, intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth changes and complications of Nd:YAG laser treatment for posterior capsular opacification in pseudophakic eyes.Methods: Our study includes 26 eyes (23 patients) with posterior capsular opacification after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Complete ocular examinations were performed for all patients. The visual acuity, intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth measurements were obtained in all examinations. Nd:YAG capsulotomy was measured in all patients. Eyes received one drop of aproclonidine 0.5 % before and immediately after YAG laser capsulotomy. Data were analysed statistically.Results: Mean patient age was 53.73 ± 13.53-years. Before Nd:YAG capsulotomy mean anterior chamber depth was 4.03 ± 0.58-mm and in the first day after capsulotomy the mean value was 4.02 ± 0.46-mm. Mean spherical equivalent refraction before laser treatment was ‐0.52 D and on the first day after laser treatment was ‐0.49 D. An improvement in visual acuity was achieved in all cases. Before Nd:YAG capsulotomy mean visual acuity was 0.38 ± 0.13 and on the first day after capsulotomy, the mean value was 0.93 ± 0.11, the difference of which was statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences between the anterior chamber depth and intraocular pressure measurements before laser capsulotomy and on the first day, first month and third month after laser.Conclusion: Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is an effective and safe method of treatment of posterior capsular opacification.