ND: YAG LASER CAPSULOTOMY AND COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the complications of Nd:Yag laser when applied on
postoperative posterior capsule opacification (PCO), following extra capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with intraocular
lens (IOL). Design: Analytical and descriptive study. Setting: Eye OPD of DHQ Hospital, PMC and Clinic of Professor
Zia ud Din Ahmad, Faisalabad. Period: From Jan 2006 to Jan 2007. Material & Methods. There were 120 patients;
age ranged from 15 years to 80 years with post operated extra capsular cataract extraction with posterior capsular
opacification. A Proforma was made which included detailed history of diabetes, hypertension, time period of cataract
extraction, other relevant surgical or medical history, and examination e.g. Visual acuity, slit lamp examination,
intraocular pressure measurement (applanation tonometry) dilated posterior capsule examination and slit lamp
biomicroscopy etc. The patients were kept under observation for 5 hour and called for follow up after one week.
Results. Out of 120 patients 70 eyes showed visual improvement from 6/18 to 6/6 (58.34%), while 30 Shown visual
acuity improvement from count figures to 6/24 (25%), mild anterior uveitis occurred in 8 cases (6.67%), corneal damage
in 2 cases (1.6%) while transient raised Intraocular Pressure (IOP) in 7 cases (5.83%). The damage to IOL observed
in 3(2.5%), the corneal damage was seen in 2 cases (1.67%). Conclusions: The Nd; Yag Laser is very effective, cheap
and easy mode of treatment for PCO with minimal post laser complications.