The effects of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy on anterior segment parameters in patients with posterior capsular opacification

BackgroundThe aim was to investigate the effects of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser capsulotomy on the main numerical parameters of the anterior segment with Pentacam in patients with opacification of the posterior capsule. MethodsThirty eyes of 30 patients (19 male, mean age 66.9 8.1 years) with visually significant posterior capsular opacification were enrolled. Patients had undergone phacoemulsification surgery with three-piece intraocular lens (Sensar, AMO, USA) implantation. Full ocular examination was performed before and after capsulotomy. Intraocular pressure (Goldmann applanation tonometry) and refractive changes were measured. Pentacam measurements of the patients before and one week and one month after capsulotomy were obtained. ResultsMean visual acuity (logMAR) improved pre-operatively (0.50 +/- 0.36) to one week (0.04 +/- 0.07) and one month after capsulotomy (0.03 +/- 0.06; p < 0.001). Mean spherical and cylindrical powers were 0.50 +/- 0.98 DS and -1.61 +/- 1.00 DC before the procedure and 0.10 +/- 0.80 DS and -0.92 +/- 0.66 DC at one month, respectively. There was a significant decrease in cylindrical errors (p = 0.001) and a myopic shift in spherical errors (p = 0.01) after the procedure. Mean anterior chamber depth (ACD) was 4.26 +/- 0.63mm before the procedure, 3.73 +/- 0.56mm at one week and 3.75 +/- 0.56mm at one month. The decrements in anterior chamber depth were significant (p < 0.001). The mean of the anterior chamber angle measurements was 43.41 +/- 6.87 degrees before the procedure, increased to 45.56 +/- 7.01 degrees at one week and decreased to 44.56 +/- 6.13 degrees at one month. The increments in anterior chamber angle at the first week of the procedure were significant (p = 0.01). Mean central corneal thickness was 549.60 +/- 41.70m before the procedure, increased to 551.40 +/- 39.72m at one week and decreased to 542.30 +/- 35.48m at one month. The decrements in central corneal thickness were significant (p = 0.048). ConclusionMean anterior chamber depth decreased by approximately 0.5mm after capsulotomy. This decrement in anterior chamber depth might be a clue for associated complications, such as unwelcome refractive errors, changes at intraocular lens position, post-procedure intraocular pressure increases and acute glaucoma.