The Effects of Nd: YAG Laser Capsulotomy on Visual Acuity, Macular Thickness, and Intraocular Pressure in Diabetic Patients

Objectives: To compare macular thickness, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after Nd: YAG\udlaser capsulotomy for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in diabetic and non-diabetic eyes.\udMaterials and Methods: Thirty-six eyes of 25 diabetic patients and 40 eyes of 25 non-diabetic patients were included. All patients\udwas treated with Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. Macular thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), IOP, and BCVA\udwere evaluated before and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the procedure.\udResults: There was no difference between the two groups in age, gender, and applied laser technique. The time interval between cataract\udsurgery and laser capsulotomy was shorter in the group of diabetic patients (p=0.009). In both groups, BCVA was significantly increased\ud1 week after laser capsulotomy (respectively, p=0.023, p=0.016). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the\udtwo groups. There was no significant difference in macular thickness before and after the procedure between the two groups (p>0.05).\udHowever, in group 1, cystoid macular edema was observed in 2 eyes during follow-up. Despite prophylactic treatment, IOP remained\udaround 21-30 mmHg in 3 patients in group 1 and 4 patients in group 2 at first day and at the end of the 1st week. IOP was controlled\udexcept in one glaucoma patient. In the two groups, IOP values before and after laser capsulotomy were not statistically significantly\uddifferent (p>0.05). At first day, +2 cells in the anterior chamber were detected in 3 patients in group 1 and in 2 patients in group 2; at\ud1 week after routine topical steroid treatment, anterior chamber reaction was not observed.\udConclusion: It is known that there is a breakdown in the blood-aqueous and inner blood-retinal barriers in diabetes, however, no\uddifference was determined in visual improvement, macular thickness, and IOP when comparing diabetic to non-diabetic eyes. We\udobserved that Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy is a safe and effective method for posterior capsular opacification in diabetic and non-diabetic\udpatients. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2015; 45: 47-51