Study of early refractive changes following Nd: YAG capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification in pseudophakia

Purpose: To study the effect of capsulotomy size on refraction and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Methods: Thirty five patients were examined pre procedure and 3 days after Nd: YAG capsulotomy. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on post procedure capsulotomy size. Changes in cylindrical error, spherical error & BCVA were compared in 3 groups. Results: We found a higher hyperopic shift in patients belonging to larger capsulotomy group. In 3 groups the change in cylindrical error was found to be significant in the larger capsulotomy group. The change in BCVA pre & post procedure was also found to be significant among the 3 groups. Conclusion: Patients who underwent a larger capsulotomy had a higher hyperopic shift and improvement in vision. The cylindrical correction changed significantly depending on the size of the opening created. Keywords: Nd: YAG laser, Capsule opacification, Posterior capsulotomy, Intraocular lens, Visual acuity and Diopters