Intraocular pressure control after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in eyes with glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control of glaucomatous eyes following Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of 69 glaucoma patients who underwent an Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy over a 3 year period, following cataract extraction or a combined cataract-glaucoma procedure. All patients had a minimum follow-up period of at least 6 months and a median follow-up period of 2 years. We assessed IOP control, number of glaucoma medications required and whether the patient needed additional glaucoma surgery following the capsulotomy. Based on these outcome measures, we strictly defined "disease progression" as one of the following: an IOP rise of at least 5 mm Hg on two consecutive visits, addition of one or more glaucoma medications and additional glaucoma surgery following the capsulotomy. We calculated Kaplan-Meier event rate curves for these eyes with "disease progression".


RESULTS
The rate of "disease progression" was 11.6% at 4 months, 20.3% at 6 months, 38.1% at 12 months, 46.1% at 24 months, 52.1% at 36 months and 52.1% at 47 months following the capsulotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Gradual IOP elevation or a need for more aggressive therapy is common in glaucoma patients following Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. It is unclear whether this progression is related directly to the Nd:YAG laser procedure or whether it is an independent progression of the patient's glaucoma unrelated to the Nd:YAG laser procedure.
Lin
J-C
JC
Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei City Hospital, Ho-Ping Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
Katz
L J
LJ
Spaeth
G L
GL
Klancnik
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents