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Retinal breaks before and after neodymium:YAG posterior capsulotomy
P Ranta1, P Tommila, I Immonen
1Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. pranta@dlc.fi
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
|September 29, 2000
Summary
Asymptomatic retinal breaks occurred in 2.1% of eyes before or after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. Further research is needed to determine if these breaks progress to retinal detachment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
- Laser Procedures
Background:
- Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy is a common procedure to improve vision after cataract surgery.
- Retinal breaks can occur asymptomatically and may lead to retinal detachment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of asymptomatic retinal breaks before and after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 220 eyes undergoing their first Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
- Vitreoretinal surgeons examined eyes for retinal breaks using indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral indentation.
- Examinations were conducted 1 week before, 1 hour after, and 1 month after the procedure.
Main Results:
- A total of 2.1% of eyes had asymptomatic retinal breaks before or within 1 month after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
- No new breaks were observed during the Nd:YAG laser procedure itself.
- The frequency of breaks is comparable to reported rates of retinal detachment in the literature.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic retinal breaks are detected in a small percentage of eyes undergoing Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.
- The clinical significance and progression of these breaks to retinal detachment remain uncertain.