Visual outcome after YAG posterior capsulotomy in pseudophakic eyes

Abstract

Introduction : Within the first five years following cataract surgery for uncomplicated senile cataracts, PCO is reported to occur at an incidence of between 3% and 50%. (1) It affects patient satisfaction significantly due to increased light dispersion and decreased visual function.( (2), (3) Aim of study: To evaluate the effect of YAG posterior capsulotomy on visual acuity in pseudophakic eyes with thick posterior capsular opacifications . Patients and methods: Fifty eyes from fifty individuals with substantial posterior capsular opacification (PCO) were included in the study. All cases had YAG posterior capsulotomy; visual acuity was measured before and one month following the procedure, and the results were compared. Results: Preoperative BCVA ranged from (0.10: 0.50) with mean 0.28 ± 0.12SD, while after one month, BCVA ranged from (0.17: 0.67) with mean 0.44 ± 0.16SD. Ther was significant improvement in BCVA (P <0.001) . Conclusion: A safe, non-invasive method for performing a posterior capsulotomy in eyes with pseudophakic defects is the Neodymium-YAG laser . that results in improvement of visual acuity and patient satisfaction.