YAG laser rate for posterior capsular opacification (PCO) using varied IOL materials.

This study aims to determine the average span of time for Nd:YAG Capsulotomy for posterior capsular opacification after phacoemulsification using four (4) different posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) materials (acrylic, polymethylmethacrylate, silicone and hydrogel). This is a retrospective, cohort study wherein data from the charts of 46 patients of a single surgeon were tabulated. All the patients underwent a standardized and an uncomplicated phacoemulsification for senile cataracts with posterior chamber IOL insertion. There were a total of 50 IOLs in this study, 8 acrylic, 16 polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), 24 silicone and 2 hydrogel. The average duration before Nd: YAG capsulotomy was necessary for each IOL material were: acrylic 11.91 months, PMMA 14.50 months, silicone 18.25 months and hydrogel 8.125 months. This study revealed that each of the four (4) different IOL materials had no influence on the span of time before the necessity for Nd: YAG capsulotomy. (Author)