A Newly Described Complication of Neodymium-YAG Laser Capsulotomy: Exacerbation of an Intraocular Infection

Abstract

To the Editor. —We present a previously undescribed complication of neodymium(ND)-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Report of a Case. —A 71-year-old man underwent an extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with insertion of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) in the right eye in September 1985. The postoperative course was uneventful and visual acuity was 20/25, with no evidence of cells or flare. A examination ten months postoperatively disclosed a decrease in visual acuity to 20/50. Posterior capsular clouding was seen, but the eye was otherwise unreactive. An Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy with 43 laser bursts at a 1.5-mJ energy level was performed in July 1986. Within a few days, a severe deterioration in visual acuity occurred, and the patient complained of a foreign-body sensation and photophobia. Keratic precipitates and a 2+ cellular reaction were noted. Initial topical 1% prednisolone treatment (one drop every two hours during the day) caused a transient decrease