[YAG laser capsulotomy in multifocal intraocular lenses].
BACKGROUND
Multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) have been implanted with good results for several years. Because the light is distributed between two or more focuses, there is slight light reduction for every picture. Capsular fibrosis can cause additional reduction of the amount of light to the retina.


METHODS
A diffractive MIOL 811X from Pharmacia & Upjohn was implanted in 40 eyes of 40 patients. Within 1 year postoperatively, 13 patients underwent YAG Laser capsulotomy between the 4th and the 6th month. Before and after the YAG laser the visual acuity for distance and near vision was tested. In addition, a contrast test (Ginsburg test) was performed.


RESULTS
Before YAG laser capsulotomy, the visual acuity for distance without correction was 0.5 (+/- 0.17) and near vision J 2.4 (+/- 1.4). After the YAG laser procedure, uncorrected visual acuity improved to 0.65 (+/- 0. 21) for distance and J 1 (+/- 0) for near vision. With the best distance correction the distance vision was 0.85 (+/- 0.18) and near vision was J 1.77 (+/- 0.89) before capsulotomy. After the YAG laser treatment, patients reached with best correction a visual acuity of 1.1 (+/- 0.24) at distance and J 1 (+/- 0) at near vision. The contrast equivalent acuity increased from 20/70 before the YAG laser treatment to 20/40 after ward.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a MIOL feel early visual discomfort due to capsular fibrosis. In most cases the patients still have good visual acuity, but decreased contrast sensitivity. Early YAG laser capsulotomy increases the visual acuity and the contrast sensitivity significantly.
Voigt
U
U
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena.
Strobel
J
J
D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology