Evaluation of the impact of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy on ocular pulse amplitude and anterior segment morphology

Background and Objective Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most frequent complication after cataract surgery. The most used method in order to disrupt the opacified posterior capsule is Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy on ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal volume (CV), iridocorneal angle (ICA), and anterior chamber depth (ACD). Materials and Methods Thirty-three eyes of 30 pseudophakic patients who underwent Nd-YAG capsulotomy due to posterior capsule opacification, were included in this prospective cross-sectional consecutive case series. The OPA was measured with the Pascal dynamic contour tonometer. The CCT, CV, ICA, and ACD measurements were taken with the Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam HR). The examinations were performed preoperatively, and repeated at the postoperative first hour, week, and month. Results The mean OPA, ICA, and ACD values did not change statistically significantly after the posterior capsulotomy (P > 0.05). The mean CCT increased markedly and the mean CV increased slightly after one hour from the capsulotomy (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively), and then returned to the baseline values at the first week and first month visits (P > 0.05). Conclusions Nd:YAG capsulotomy does not significantly alter OPA, ICA, and ACD; but it causes temporary increase of CCT and CV in the short term. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.