[Changes of retinal light sensitivity after YAG-laser capsulotomy].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this prospective study was firstly to investigate the changes of retinal light sensitivity of the central visual field in patients with posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after YAG-laser capsulotomy and secondly to determine the correlation between changes in retinal light sensitivity and patient's age and the diameter of posterior laser capsulotomy.


METHODS
Our study includes 25 eyes (25 patients) with PCO after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. In all patients YAG-laser capsulotomy was performed. In all patients, a threshold visual field analysis was carried out with the C 30 - 2 programme of the automated Humphrey Field Analyzer before and one month after the procedure.


RESULTS
In all patients a significant improvement of visual acuity was observed one month after capsulotomy (p = 0,00003). One month after YAG-laser treatment, a significant improvement of retinal light sensitivity in the central visual field was also observed. The average MD (mean deviation) before the procedure was - 6.05 db (+/- 3.2, max. - 11.7, min. + 2.17) and after the procedure - 3.61 db (+/- 3.7, max. - 10.87, min. + 0.71). Before laser capsulotomy obvious areas of reduced retinal sensitivity in 19 of 25 eyes (76 %) were found with MD p values of less than 5 %. One month after the procedure the MD p values were less than 5 % only in 8 eyes (32 %). The improvement in MD was statistically significant (p = 0,0002). No correlation was established between the improvement of retinal light sensitivity and patient's age or the size of the capsulotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that the improvement of retinal light sensitivity is significant after YAG-laser capsulotomy and not depends on patient age or capsulotomy size.
Pahor
D
D
Augenabteilung, Lehrkrankenhaus Maribor, SI-2000 Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, Slovenia. d.pahor@sb-mb.si
Falez
M
M
Gracner
B
B
Gracner
T
T
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020795:Photophobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome