Background: PCO occurs due to lens epithelial cell activity. Treatments, including Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and PPCC, risk retinal complications like CME with an incidence rate of 0.1-2.35%. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) aids in CME diagnosis.
Objectives: To use Spectral Domain OCT to evaluate how Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy affects macular thickness in individuals who are pseudophakic.
Patients and methods: Prospective study at South Valley University Hospitals (Dec 2016 - Oct 2017) on 40 pseudophakic patients (aged 40–72) with significant PCO. Inclusion criteria: centered posterior chamber IOL, 6 months to 6 years post-cataract surgery, evaluable for Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy. Exclusion criteria: Dense PCO, ocular diseases, trauma, prior laser treatments, uveitis, or diabetes mellitus. Methods: medical history, examinations, OCT for macular thickness, and Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy. Follow-up: 3 months.
Results: No complications post Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy. Median capsulotomy energy: 2 mj, pulses: 9.5. Time post-surgery: avg. 2 years. Significant post-capsulotomy increase in central macular thickness (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Nd:YAG capsulotomy maintains normal macular thickness, affirming its safety in PCO management.