Influence of laser posterior capsulotomy on anterior chamber depth, refraction, and intraocular pressure

To evaluate the effect of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy on anterior chamber depth (ACD), intraocular pressure (IOP), and refraction, including spherical equivalent (SE) and various forms of astigmatism.

Taipei Municipal Yang-Ming Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Fifty-three eyes of 46 patients with posterior capsule opacification were included in this prospective study. An Nd:YAG laser was used to perform posterior capsulotomy. Patients' ACD, IOP, and refraction were measured before the capsulotomy and 30 minutes, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after.

There were no statistically significant differences in ACD, IOP, or SE (P =.201, P =.465, and P =.109, respectively). However, there were significant decreases in the magnitudes of refractive astigmatism and residual astigmatism after laser treatment (P =.012 and P <.001, respectively).

Although an Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy did not significantly change ACD, IOP, or SE, it decreased the magnitudes of refractive astigmatism and residual astigmatism 1 week postoperatively. These stabilized thereafter.