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Vitreous opacification after neodymium:YAG posterior capsulotomy
Purpose:
To describe the clinical picture in eyes that developed vitreous opacification behind the intraocular lens (IOL) after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy and determine whether this type of opacification tends to occur in patients with diabetes.
Setting:
Shinjo Eye Clinic, Miyazaki, Japan.
Methods:
The clinical course in 728 eyes that had Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy was reviewed.
Results:
After Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy, opacification developed in the vitreous in contact with the IOL in 9 eyes (1.2%). All occurred in diabetic patients, and the vitreous opacification developed within 1 month after the capsulotomy. A vitrectomy was performed in 8 eyes and in 1, the opacification spontaneously absorbed. Vitreous opacification occurred in 8.9% of 101 eyes of diabetic patients, and the prevalence in diabetic eyes was significantly higher than in nondiabetic eyes (P < .0001). Nine of the diabetic eyes were opaque and 92 nonopaque. In the opaque eyes, the prevalence of panretinal photocoagulation was higher than in the nonopaque eyes (P = .013), and hemoglobin Alc (P = .030) was higher; the interval between cataract surgery and Nd:YAG capsulotomy was shorter (P = .047) and the final visual acuity, lower (P = .045).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of vitreous opacification after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was significantly higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic eyes. Viterectomy was effective for this type of opacification.