A study to determine visual outcome and complications following ND-YAG laser therapy in posterior capsular opacification

Year : 2017 | Volume : 5 | Issue : 2 Page : 33 - 36

Seetha Lakshmi D K¹ , Savita Kanakpur², Abhilasha M N³

¹Assistant Professor,2Professor,3Postgraduate Student, Department of Ophthalmology, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, Karnataka,India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Seetha Lakshmi D K, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, Karnataka,India.

Email: sita_diddapur@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: ND-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is a rapid safe and relatively less invasive and painless procedure, than surgical dissection which may be associated with higher incidence of complications.

Objectives: To determine visual outcome and complications following ND-YAG laser therapy in posterior capsular opacification

Materials and Methods :It is a study conducted on patients presenting with Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery who attended ophthalmology outpatient department at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli during a period from January 2014 to November 2015. Institutional Ethics Committee permission was taken. Detailed history was noted and local examination was carried out. Best corrected visual acuity was noted with the help of Snellen’s chart. All patients with grade II and III PCO were subjected to ND-YAG laser capsulotomy.

Results :It was observed that PCO was more common in the age group of 61-70 years. It was observed that pearl type of PCO was more common than fibrous type. Grade II PCO was more common than grade III. Post operatively best corrected visual acuity improved for almost all patients showing the efficacy of the intervention applied. Only 20% of patients developed complications.

Conclusion :Improvement in the visual acuity was excellent after ND-YAG laser capsulotomy. It is relatively non invasive and can be performed as an outpatient department based procedure. Although this procedure is safe, it is associated with complications like transient intra ocular pressure rise, pitting of intra ocular lens, mild iritis, which are not vision threatening and they are transient. Therefore this treatment modality is cost effective and safe.

Key words : Visual acuity, capsulotomy, non-invasive, effective, safe.