K Hayashi1, F Nakao, H Hayashi. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. hayashi-ken@hayashi.or.jp
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence that the size of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy performed for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) has on visual acuity (VA), and on contrast VA and that in the presence of glare (glare VA). METHODS: A total of 41 consecutive eyes with PCO first underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy of smaller than pupillary size, after which the capsulotomy was secondarily enlarged, 2 weeks later, to greater than pupillary size. Best-corrected VA, and contrast VA and glare VA under photopic and mesopic conditions were measured after the small and large capsulotomies were made. RESULTS: After enlargement, the mean capsulotomy area increased significantly from 4.8 to 15.3 mm(2) (P<0.0001). Best-corrected VA did not improve significantly after enlargement (P=0.1282). However, photopic contrast VA and glare VA at moderate to low contrast visual target before enlargement were significantly worse than those after enlargement (P<or=0.0242); furthermore, mesopic contrast VA and glare VA improved significantly after enlargement (P<or=0.0431). CONCLUSION: Contrast VA and glare VA with a small capsulotomy were significantly worse than those with a large capsulotomy, which suggests that a capsulotomy larger than the pupillary size is necessary to restore contrast sensitivity and glare disability.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence that the size of a neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy performed for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) has on visual acuity (VA), and on contrast VA and that in the presence of glare (glare VA). METHODS: A total of 41 consecutive eyes with PCO first underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy of smaller than pupillary size, after which the capsulotomy was secondarily enlarged, 2 weeks later, to greater than pupillary size. Best-corrected VA, and contrast VA and glare VA under photopic and mesopic conditions were measured after the small and large capsulotomies were made. RESULTS: After enlargement, the mean capsulotomy area increased significantly from 4.8 to 15.3 mm(2) (P<0.0001). Best-corrected VA did not improve significantly after enlargement (P=0.1282). However, photopic contrast VA and glare VA at moderate to low contrast visual target before enlargement were significantly worse than those after enlargement (P<or=0.0242); furthermore, mesopic contrast VA and glare VA improved significantly after enlargement (P<or=0.0431). CONCLUSION: Contrast VA and glare VA with a small capsulotomy were significantly worse than those with a large capsulotomy, which suggests that a capsulotomy larger than the pupillary size is necessary to restore contrast sensitivity and glare disability.