Abstract

A STUDY ON CORRELATION BETWEEN POSTERIOR CAPSULAR OPACIFICATION AND VISUAL FUNCTION BEFORE AND AFTER NEODYMIUM: YAG LASER POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY IN RURAL POPULATION OF NORTH MAHARASHTRA

Posterior capsular opacification is the opacity which follows after extra capsular cataract extraction and can be treated by surgery or laser. The laser is the procedure of choice because it is non invasive, outpatient procedure that clears visual axis and improves vision instantaneously. Aims: The aim of this study is to correlate density of Posterior capsular opacification in relation to visual deterioration and subsequent improvement after Nd: YAG laser, amount of energy required to cut the posterior capsule and to observe any complications during and after the procedure. Methods: It was a prospective study which was carried out over a period of two years. 40 eyes with posterior capsular opacification were included. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure were recorded before and after the procedure. Result: After the YAG capsulotomy 85% patients showed improvement by 3 snellen’s line or more while 12.5% patients improved by 2 snellen’s line or more and remaining 2.5% patients showed 1 snellen’s line improvement. The average energy required per shot to break the posterior capsule was 3.08 (± 1.12) mj. Average total energy used in our study is 50.13±22.32mj. The 77.5% patients had no significant rise of IOP while 15% patients had rise of 2.2 to 5 mmHg and 7.5% patients had rise of IOP of 5 to 10 mmHg after YAG capsulotomy. 7.5% cases had IOL damage in the form of pitting but there were no visual complaints, 5% patients had mild iritis and 2.5% patient had iris bleed.

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