Long-term follow-up of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

A Nd:YAG laser developed for ophthalmic surgery was studied for safety and efficacy in secondary discission of the posterior capsule in aphakic and pseudophakic subjects. The study involves 6,800 subjects, 526 of whom had completed the six-month postoperative course by the time the data base was closed for analysis. Of the 526 subjects who were treated with the laser, 87.8% had improved vision, with 82.9% achieving a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. This result compares favorably with results for the surgically treated population in which only 68.4% experienced improved vision, with 80.2% achieving a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Approximately four times more surgically treated subjects than laser-treated subjects experienced diminished vision (14.8%). Cumulative complication rates in the laser-treated population were very low (CME 2.3%, secondary glaucoma 3.6%, retinal detachment 0.4%, overall rate 4.8%). Persistent complications (present at the six-month postoperative period) were present at an overall incidence of 2.3%, comprised primarily of CME, 0.2%, retinal detachment, 0.2%, and secondary glaucoma, 0.8%. Only 5.7% of subjects experienced an intraocular pressure (IOP) rise to 30 mm Hg or greater. Return to the preoperative IOP level occurred in 89% of subjects in the first 24 hours to one week. Predictors of IOP rise to 30 mm Hg or greater were determined to be preoperative glaucoma and/or preoperative IOP of greater than 20 mm Hg.