The impact of Nd:YAG capsulotomy on foveal thickness measurement by optical coherence tomography

To measure the foveal thickness change after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients who had posterior capsule opacification underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. OCT of the foveal region was performed preoperatively and postoperatively (on days 1 and 7 and months 1, 3, 6, and 12). The preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared.

The foveal thickness did not significantly change in the first year after laser treatment. Cystoid macular edema developed in only 1 patient (2%). Patient age and gender, time between surgery and laser capsulotomy, total laser shots, total laser energy, or mean laser energy per shot did not affect the foveal thickness.

Foveal thickness does not change in the first year after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, as determined by OCT.