Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To describe and evaluate the effectiveness of Nd:Yag laser in pseudophakic children. Methods: This prospective study was done at the Infantile Cataract Section of the Federal University of São Paulo/Paulista School of Medicine, from June 2001 to March 2003. Twenty four eyes of 22 pseudophakic patients with posterior capsular opacification underwent posterior capsulotomy with Nd:Yag laser. Age at surgery, IOL type, IOL placement, time interval between surgery and posterior capsular opacification, energy needed (mJ), uni or bilateral, initial and final visual acuity were analysed. Results: Four (16,6%) eyes received polyacrylic implants and 18 (75%) PMMA lenses. Twelve IOL were in the capsular bag and nine in the ciliary sulcus. The laser energy level required was 0,8 mJ to 2 mJ. Nd:Yag laser was successful in 22 (91,6%) eyes. Only two (8,3%) eyes required surgical capsulotomy. Conclusions: Nd:Yag laser capsulotomy can improve the visual acuity in pseudophakic children with capsular opacification. It seems a feasible and safe procedure in this group of patients.
Keywords: cataract • posterior capsular opacification (PCO) • visual acuity