Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess the effect of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy on ocular wavefront aberrations.
Methods: :
The wavefront aberrations of the entire optical path of 24 pseudophakic eyes of 20 patients before and 1 month after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy were measured using the Nidek-OPD scan aberrometer. Total, tilt, high order aberrations, total coma, total trefoil, total tetrafoil, total spherical and total high astigmatism aberrations were analyzed statistically. Secondary measures included changes in visual acuity and refraction.
Results: :
Before Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy , the total higher-order aberrations root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront aberration was 4.39 ± 2.79 µm. All Zernike modes were elevated, with total trefoil being a major contributor 1.19 ± 1.2 µm. One month after the procedure significant decreases in total, tilt, high order aberrations, total trefoil, total tetrafoil, total spherical and total high astigmatism aberrations were noted (P < 0.05). No significant changes in total coma aberrations were found (P > 0.05). Additionally, significant improvement in visual acuity without significant change in refraction was observed.
Conclusions: :
Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy causes significant decrease in ocular wavefront aberrations which can explain a better optical quality after the procedure. Further research to examine the impact of wavefront aberrations in visual function after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is needed.
Keywords: aberrations • posterior capsular opacification (PCO)