Abstract
Background: :
Cataract extraction is the most common intra–ocular surgical procedure performed in the United States today. A common side effect of cataract removal is proliferation of lenticular epithelial cells on the posterior capsule, producing a posterior capsule opacification. The rate of posterior capsular opacification varies widely due to factors such as patient age, size of capsulorrhexis and type and shape of intro–ocular lens. Several different procedures for cataract removal exist including phacoemulsification and laser photolysis extraction.
Purpose: :
To compare the rates of post–operative posterior capsular opacification requiring YAG–laser capsulotomy in patients undergoing phacoemulsification verses laser photolysis removal of a crystalline lens.
Participants: :
A total of 410 eyes in 377 patients, followed post–operatively for 17–29 months.
Methods: :
Cataract extractions performed by a single ophthalmic surgeon during a 12 month period were reviewed to determine the number of phacoemulsification and laser photolysis extractions performed. During post–operative follow–up ranging from 17–29 months, the rate of YAG–laser capsulotomy due to posterior capsular opacification in each group was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using a student’s t–test.
Results: :
Of the 288 eyes that underwent phacoemulsification cataract removal, 15 required a YAG–laser capsulotomy (5.21%). Of the 122 eyes that underwent laser photolysis cataract removal, four required YAG–laser capsulotomy (3.28%). By student’s t–test analysis, there was no significant difference in the rate of YAG–laser capsulotomy between the two groups (p=0.35).
Conclusions: :
There is no difference in the rate of post–operative posterior capsular opacification requiring YAG–capsulotomy between phacoemulsification and laser photolysis cataract removal.
Keywords: posterior capsular opacification (PCO) • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • cataract