PURPOSE: To determine the effect of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy size on refraction and visual acuity. METHODS: A total of 128 pseudophakic eyes (108 patients) were included in this study and divided into two groups by capsulotomy size: 80 eyes had small capsulotomies (<4 mm) without dilating the pupil and 48 eyes had large capsulotomies (> or = 4 mm and <7 mm) after dilating the pupil. Visual acuities and refractive errors were measured preoperatively and 1, 14, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The change in spherical equivalent refraction was 0.38 +/- 0.52 diopters (D) in the small capsulotomy group and 0.22 +/- 0.36 D in the large capsulotomy group. No statistically significant differences were noted in spherical equivalent refraction change (P=.47) or capsulotomy size (P=.0387) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The size of posterior capsulotomy does not significantly affect refraction and visual acuity.
PURPOSE: To determine the effect of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy size on refraction and visual acuity. METHODS: A total of 128 pseudophakic eyes (108 patients) were included in this study and divided into two groups by capsulotomy size: 80 eyes had small capsulotomies (<4 mm) without dilating the pupil and 48 eyes had large capsulotomies (> or = 4 mm and <7 mm) after dilating the pupil. Visual acuities and refractive errors were measured preoperatively and 1, 14, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The change in spherical equivalent refraction was 0.38 +/- 0.52 diopters (D) in the small capsulotomy group and 0.22 +/- 0.36 D in the large capsulotomy group. No statistically significant differences were noted in spherical equivalent refraction change (P=.47) or capsulotomy size (P=.0387) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The size of posterior capsulotomy does not significantly affect refraction and visual acuity.