Effects of Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser Capsulotomy on Visual Outcomes From a Lower-Middle Income Country

Abstract

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd: YAG) laser is a non-invasive and effective means to deal with posterior capsule opacification. Although it is safe, it may have some complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy in terms of visual outcomes. MethodologyThis retrospective study was carried out at the eye department of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Lyari and Sindh Government Lyari General Hospital, Karachi, by using a convenient sampling technique. The duration of the study was six months from 1 st January 2020 to 30 th June 2020. 50 eyes of patients older than 20 years of age of either gender with posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery for more than 6 months of duration, capsular fibrosis, and visual distortion due to wrinkling were included in the study. ResultsOur results show that in a total of 50 patients, the mean age was 59.08±5.84 years, of which, 20 (40%) were males. Out of 50 patients, 22 right while 28 left eyes were selected for Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. None of the patients showed elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) after the 1 st week. Mean IOP was 16.84±3.63 mm of Hg on the 1 st day and mean IOP after 1 st week was 12.48±2.01 mm of Hg. Iritis was observed in 5 (10.0%) patients on the 1 st day and 4 (8.0%) patients on the 1 st week. Raised IOP was observed in 10 (20.0%) cases whereas cystoid macular edema was observed in only 1 (2%) patients on the 1 st day and 1 st week after laser therapy. ConclusionThe study predicted that Nd: Yag laser posterior capsulotomy gives excellent results in terms of visual acuity. Complications that were associated with the Nd: Yag laser capsulotomy was a rise in intraocular pressure, cystoid macular edema, iritis, and IOL pitting.

Evaluation of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy results in patients who underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation with the endocapsular phacoemulsification method

“…It has been reported that the incidence of PCO associated with standard cataract surgery ranges from 5% to 50% [5]. Current studies show that Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is widely used in the treatment of PCO and significantly improves visual function in these patients [1,5,9,10]. Various studies have found a substantial increase in visual acuity after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy performed in cases with PCO [6].…”

“…Although Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is less invasive and easier to perform, complications are possible. Major anterior segment complications include elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal endothelial damage, tyndallization, IOL damage, and iris hemorrhage, while the main posterior segment complications include retinal detachment (RD), vitreous prolapse, cystoid macular edema (CME), and anterior hyaloid rupture [8,9].…”