Is the Nd: YAG Laser a Safe Procedure for Posterior Capsulotomy?

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the complications during and following Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Ophthalmology Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad, from April 2006 to July 2007. Three hundred and twenty patients with significant PCO, after performing pre-laser assessment were subjected to laser treatment. Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was carried out with Q-switched, SYL 9000 YAG laser system, under topical anesthesia with Abraham’s capsulotomy lens. These patients were assessed for post-laser visual acuity and possible complications just after one hour of laser treatment and at the end of first week, 2nd week and 4th week. The post laser treatment was advised to each patient as needed.

Result: Out of 320 patients 200 (62.5%) were males and 120 (37.50%) were females. The mean time interval between cataract surgery and Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was 2.5 years. During and following Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy out of 320 patients 30 patients (9.37%) developed intraocular lens (IOL) pitting, ten patients (4.68%) developed rise in intraocular pressure (IOP), two patients (0.62%) showed rupture in anterior vitreous face(AVF), two patients (0.62%) developed cystoids macular edema(CME). The best corrected visual acuity (VA) of 6/9 – 6/6 was achieved in 310 eyes (96.87%); where as only 10 eyes (3.12%) did not have significant improvement in visual acuity.

Conclusion: The Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy is a safe, effective out patient procedure to create an opening in opaque posterior capsule for the improvement in vision.