Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.56(11) > 1010136

Kim and Park: Long-Term Follow-Up of Adverse Consequences after Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Posterior Capsular Opacification

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term follow-up of adverse effects after neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garne (Nd:YAG) laser treatment for posterior capsular opacification (PCO).

Methods

In this study, 152 patients (184 eyes) diagnosed with PCO and who received Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy with at least 5 years of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the clinical adverse consequences after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Results

The mean age in the study group was 63.2 ± 4.2 years and the mean follow-up period was 6.2 ± 0.6 years. Vitreous floaters (8.1%) were the most common complication followed by reactive anterior uveitis (5.9%) and transient increase in intraocular pressure of more than 30 mm Hg (5.4%). Other complications included primary Nd:YAG laser failure (2.7%), recurrent lens epithelial remnant proliferation (1.6%), cystoid macular edema (1.1%), corneal edema (0.5%), retinal tear (0.5%), and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (0.5%).

Conclusions

Although Nd:YAG laser treatment is the most effective and safe method, surgeons should be aware of the occasional complications such as recurrent lens epithelial remnant proliferation, retinal tear, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment through long-term follow-up. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2015;56(11):1706–1711

References

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Figure 1.
Laser posterior capsulotomy with modified circular opening.
jkos-56-1706f1.tif
Figure 2.
One month after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy performed with the modified circular opening procedure. This demonstrates that the inferior portion of circular opening at 6 o'clock remains attached to the posterior capsule. Nd:YAG = neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garne.
jkos-56-1706f2.tif
Table 1.
Baseline demographic features of the enrolled patients
Factors No.
No. of eyes 184
Age (years) 63.2 ± 4.2
Sex (M:F) 1.2:1
DM (n, %) 34 (18.4)
Mean follow-up (years) 6.2 ± 0.6
Mean IOP (pre-laser, mm Hg) 14.8 ± 3.4
Mean IOP (post-laser 30 minutes, mm Hg) 16.4 ± 2.8
Mean laser power (mJ) 1.94 ± 0.27
Mean number of laser applications 31 ± 2

Values are presented as mean ± SD unless otherwise indicated. M = male; F = female; DM = diabetes mellitus; IOP = intraocular pressure.

Table 2.
Long term follow-up adverse consequences after Nd:YAG laser
Complications No. (%)
Vitreous floaters 15 (8.1)
Reactive anterior uveitis 11 (5.9)
IOP >30 mm Hg (post-laser 30 minutes) 10 (5.4)
Primary Nd:YAG laser failure 5 (2.7)
  Secondary Nd:YAG laser (after 1 week) 4 (2.2)
  Pars plana vitrectomy 1 (0.5)
Recurrent lens epithelial remnant proliferation 3 (1.6)
CME 2 (1.1)
Corneal edema 1 (0.5)
Retinal tear 1 (0.5)
RRD 1 (0.5)

Nd:YAG = neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garne; IOP = intraocular pressure; CME = cystoid macular edema; RRD = rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

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