Clinical Analysis for Complications of Nd-YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy in Uveitis Patients

ABSTRACT

Nd-YAG laser is known as a safe and effective treatment for posterior capsular opacity after cataract surgery. We studied the ocular complications after Nd-YAG laser treatment in uveitis patients. From January 1991 to December 1996, we retrospectively investigated the complications of uveitis in 22 persons(25 eyes) after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, and also investigated that of nonuveitis in 563 persons(635 eyes) as a control group. The uveitis cases consisted of six anterior uveitis, eight intermediate uveitis, seven Behcet`s syndromes, three panuveitis, and one posterior uveitis. In the uveitis group, the complications(18 eyes) consisted of three retinal detachments, one giant retinal tear, three glaucoma, two aggravations of uveitis, two vitreous opacities, one retinal emorrhage, one proliferative vitreoretinopathy, one hyphema, and four transient high intraocular pressures(IOP), and in the control group, it consisted of two subluxations of intraocular lens(IOL), three glaucomas, one retinal tear, three transient high IOPs, two vitreous opacities, two retinal hemorrhages, three macular holes, two retinal detachments, and five cystoid macular edemas. From our experience, the incidence of complications after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in uveitis was higher than that in nonuveitis. It was also noted that it is necessary to follow up thoroughly the complications after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in uveitis patients.