Effect of Nd:YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy on Intraocular Pressure

Aim: To determine the effect of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy on Intraocular pressure (IOP). Study design: Descriptive case series. Place and duration of study: Department of Ophthalmology Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust Free Eye and Cancer Hospital Lahore Pakistan from 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019. Methodology: Three hundred and sixty patients ranged from 40 to 85 years and both males and females were enrolled. The intraocular pressure was measured before the procedure and then at 1 hour and 1 week after the procedure using the Goldmann applanation tonometer by a consultant ophthalmologist. Results: The mean age of the patients in our study was 62.29±10.90 years that comprised of 206 (57.22%) males and 154 (42.78%) females. The mean IOP before Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was 15.40±2.71 mmHg whereas the mean IOP after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was 19.04±3.50 mmHg. The effect of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy on IOP was recorded in 88 (24.44%) patients with raised IOP whereas a majority 272 (75.56%) patients had a normal IOP. Conclusion: The rise in IOP after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is statistically significant and each minimum possible laser energy must be used on each patient undergoing Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Key words: Posterior capsular opacification, Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, Intraocular pressure