Does a small central Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy improve peripheral fundal visualisation for the vitreoretinal surgeon?
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the effect of Nd:YAG capsulotomy for posterior capsular opacification (PCO) on visualisation of the peripheral fundus with scleral indentation.


METHODS
Patients undergoing Nd:YAG capsulotomy for PCO were examined pre- and four weeks post- Nd:YAG capsulotomy. In order to give a quantitative measure of visualisation of the peripheral retina, a novel scalar measurement was developed. Changes in the degree of visualisation following Nd:YAG capsulotomy were calculated.


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in fundal visualisation of the retinal periphery with scleral indentation following Nd:YAG capsulotomy (p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Peripheral fundal visualisation with scleral indentation improves following a small central Nd:YAG capsulotomy. This finding is important in relation to the detection of peripheral pseudophakic retinal breaks, particularly in those patients deemed at high risk following Nd:YAG capsulotomy.
Patton
Niall
N
Department of Ophthalmology, Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH9 3HA. niallpatton@hotmail.com
Aslam
Tariq M
TM
Bennett
Harry G
HG
Dhillon
Baljean
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000601:surgery; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012590:Sclera / Q000503:physiopathology