Neodymium:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy: cause of a visually incapacitating cataract?

Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral iridotomy is the procedure of choice to treat and avoid further episodes of angle-closure glaucoma. A patient who developed a visually incapacitating posterior subcapsular lens opacity shortly after Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy is described. The patient underwent cataract surgery and achieved a good level of visual acuity postoperatively. The intraocular pressure remained under control with no medical treatment. This case suggests a possible, albeit rare, potential complication of Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy.