Methods of assessment of patients for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy that correlate with final visual improvement.
BACKGROUND
This paper attempts to clarify the usefulness of various simple pre-operative measures in estimating the potential for a visually successful capsulotomy.


METHODS
24 patients attending for capsulotomy had pre-operative measures of glare with BAT tester, visibility of posterior pole and grading of posterior capsular pearls and fibrosis seen at slit lamp. Visual function was measured before and after standardised capsulotomy. Correlations of the various preoperative measures with eventual visual function improvements were calculated.


RESULTS
Pearls at slit lamp and poor posterior pole visualisation were all correlated with improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity after capsulotomy. Amount of fibrosis visible at slit lamp and glare assessment were not correlated with vision improvements after laser.


CONCLUSIONS
Of the various measures that are taken prior to Nd : YAG capsulotomy, some correlate with eventual visual improvement but for others no clinical utility was found. Practitioners should note these findings as they are especially of use in more questionable or high-risk cases to help determine whether referral for PCO treatment by Nd: YAG capsulotomy is likely to benefit the patient.
Aslam
Tariq M
TM
Manchester Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK. TAslam@AOL.COM.
Patton
Niall
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D019466:Glare; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*