Effect of posterior capsule opacification on macular sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) on macular sensitivity.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.


METHODS
Macular sensitivity, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and PCO intensity were evaluated before and after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy in pseudophakic eyes with clinically significant PCO that had a healthy macula or dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Macular sensitivity was determined using the fundus-related Microperimeter 1 (Nidek) in a central field of 10 degrees. The intensity of the PCO was assessed objectively in the central 3.0 mm area (score 0 to 10) using quantification software.


RESULTS
After Nd:YAG capsulotomy, both groups had a significant improvement in BCVA and mean macular sensitivity; the change in the mean logMAR value was -0.26 in the healthy macula group and -0.23 in the dry ARMD group and the change in mean macular sensitivity, 2.5 dB and 2.0 dB, respectively. Before Nd:YAG capsulotomy, significant correlations were observed between PCO values, BCVA, and macular sensitivity in the healthy macula group only (P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy improved BCVA and macular sensitivity. The PCO scores correlated well with the PCO-induced decrease in BCVA and with PCO-induced loss of macular sensitivity. Functional macular mapping indicated an overall loss of macular sensitivity in patients with dry ARMD. There was no significant association between PCO values and macular sensitivity in eyes with dry ARMD.
Varga
Alina
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Sacu
Stefan
S
Vécsei-Marlovits
Pia Veronika
PV
Richter-Mueksch
Sibylla
S
Neumayer
Thomas
T
Weingessel
Birgit
B
Findl
Oliver
O
Schmidt-Erfurth
Ursula
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000502:physiology*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000379:methods; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*