Analysis of visual outcome of Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum -Garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy in patients with Posterior Capsule Opacification

Abstract

Objective: Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is a postoperative complication causing decreasedvisual acuity. This study aims to study the efficacy of Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy in posteriorcapsular opacification following cataract surgery by analyzing the visual outcome. Material andMethods: A prospective study included a sample size of 50 eyes of 37 patients with Posteriorcapsular opacification following uneventful cataract surgery with significantly decreased visual acuity.Detailed anterior and posterior segment examination was done, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)was recorded along with measurement of IOP. Posterior capsulotomy was performed using Nd: YAGlaser (Neodymium: Yttrium-aluminum–garnet) and patients were followed up. Visual acuity wasassessed and complications if any were recorded. Results: It was noted that 74% of the patients atthe end of 1st week and 78% of the patients at the end of 1st and 3rd month had significant visualimprovement following Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. There was a statistically significant difference inPost Nd: YAG laser BCVA on follow up with P-value <0.001. Complications encountered were the risein IOP in 6% of the population at the end of 1 hour and 1st day of the procedure, iris bleeding wasnoted in 4% of the population, intraocular lens damage in 2 %, and cystoid macular edema in 2 %of the study population.