Neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy of secondary membranes in the pediatric population

Posterior capsulotomy is occasionally performed at the conclusion of extracapsular cataract extraction because of the high incidence of secondary membrane formation. Using a Nd:YAG laser we successfully performed posterior capsulotomies on 16 children who developed secondary membranes following extracapsular cataract extraction in which the posterior capsule was left intact. Eleven patients had congenital cataracts and five had acquired cataracts. The youngest patient was four years. All had improvement in visual acuity. Preserving most of the posterior capsule provides additional support to the eye and has been associated with a decreased incidence of cystoid macular edema. It also allows secondary implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens in the future.