Neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy after implantation of AcrySof intraocular lenses

Abstract

Purpose: To report the incidence of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy after phacoemulsification and implantation of AcrySof^® (Alcon) intraocular lenses (IOLs). Setting: Private practice, Wolfe Clinic, Marshalltown, Iowa, USA. Methods: A retrospective diagnosis and procedure code review of 12419 consecutive cases having phacoemulsification and AcrySof IOL implantation from January 1995 through December 2002 was performed. The outcome parameter was the incidence of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomies. Results: An Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed in 763 (6.1%) of the 12419 cases. The incidence of posterior capsulotomy was approximately 1% at 1 year, increasing in linear fashion by approximately 1% to 2% per year. Conclusions: The Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy rate after implantation of AcrySof IOLs was relatively low; the cumulative rate was approximately 1% to 2% new cases per year over a 7-year period, with a plateau suggested at year 6.