Effect of Nd:YAG Laser Capsulotomy on Refraction and Anterior Segment Parameters in Patients with Posterior Capsular Opacification

Objective: This prospective study aimed to determine the effect of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy on spherical equivalent (SE), mean keratometry (Km), intraocular pressure (IOP), and changes in the anterior segment parameters, namely, anterior chamber depth (AChD), anterior chamber volume (AChV), anterior chamber angle (AChA), and central corneal thickness (CCoT). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five pseudophakic eyes with posterior capsular opacification (PCO) of 35 patients (19 male and 16 female; mean age: 64.2 +/- 7.2 years) were included in this study. SE with automated refractometer, IOP with Gold-mann applanation tonometry, Km, AChD, AChV, AChA, and CCoT measurements were performed using the Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam, Oculus) before laser capsulotomy and one day (first visit), one week (second visit), and one month (third visit) after laser capsulotomy. Results: SE values significantly differed postoperatively over the course of the 3 visits (p=0.005, p=0.002, and p=0.002, respectively). IOP exhibited a statistically significant increase for the first and second visits, but not for the third visit (p<0.001, p=0.004, and p=0.44, respectively). AChD values significantly increased over the course of the 3 visits after laser capsulotomy (p=0.038, p=0.037, and p=0.022, respectively). No statistically significant differences were observed in the Km, AChV, AChA, and CCoT values before and after laser capsulotomy over the course of the 3 visits (p=0.91, p=0.41, p=1.00, and p=1.00, respectively). Conclusion: Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy is a procedure with higher success rates that can change the anterior segment parameters. Our study revealed an increase in the SE, IOP, and AChD values after laser capsulotomy.