Impact of Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (ND-YAG) Posterior Capsulotomy Laser Treatment on Central Macular Thickness: A Prospective, Observational Study From a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

IntroductionOpacification of the posterior capsule is labeled as a secondary cataract. The objective of the current study was to assess central macular thickness (CMT) changes following neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (ND-YAG) posterior capsulotomy and to find out the correlation between CMT with the age, energy, and total shots utilized during the procedure. MethodologyIn this single-centered prospective observational study, 137 patients with a mean age of 57 ± 12.61 years, who had cataract surgery previously and were candidates for ND-YAG posterior capsulotomy were recruited through consecutive sampling. The study was conducted at Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) Free Eye Hospital, Township, Lahore, Pakistan, between April 2020 to April 2021. The CMT, total energy, and sum total of shots used were recorded. The thickness of the central macula was measured preoperatively and postoperatively after two weeks. The paired sample t-test was used to find out any significant changes in CMT pre and two weeks postoperatively. The comparison of changes in CMT to age, energy, and the total number of shots was made through Pearson correlation. Means of CMT were compared using an independent sample t-test, at two weeks postoperatively among two energy groups. ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and two weeks postoperative values of the CMT (P-value= 0.209). No significant difference was found in CMT statistically among the two energy groups (p=0.11). The patient's age, sum total of laser shots, and aggregate of laser energy did not have any significant correlation with CMT changes. The time period between cataract surgery and ND-YAG surgery showed a moderately positive correlation with a p-value of 0.01. ConclusionThe current study revealed that ND-YAG capsulotomy does not affect the CMT significantly postoperatively. The patient's age, total energy applied, and the total number of laser shots used do not influence the macular thickness. However, the length of duration from the last cataract surgery to the current surgery was significantly associated with a change in the CMT.

Effects of Nd: YAG Laser Capsulotomy on Visual Acuity, Central Macular Thickness, Intraocular Pressure and Refraction in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

“…However, no significant change was observed in Group 2. Many studies in the literature state that CMT increases or remains unchanged after YAG PC (17)(18)(19)(20)(21). There was no statistically significant difference in CMT between the groups after the treatment in this study.…”

The complication rate following Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet laser posterior capsulotomy for posterior capsular opacification in patients with and without comorbidities

“…This could be due to the initial high CMT in group B. Tariq et al . [ 27 ] studied the changes in CMT after Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy and found no statistically significant difference after 2 weeks following the procedure. Similar results have been reported in other studies.…”