title: In vitro analysis of Nd:YAG laser damage to hydrophilic intraocular lenses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Damaged optics of an intraocular lens (IOL) can impair visual functioning. Damage can occur during the manufacturing process, during implantation, or during post-implantation Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. An in vitro experiment was performed to identify the potential IOL damage patterns associated with the use of the Nd:YAG laser for posterior capsulotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature regarding Nd:YAG laser damage to IOLs was performed. The objectives were to describe the damage patterns to a sample IOL by performing virtual posterior capsulotomies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patterns of damage were demonstrated and described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although optic damage can occur with use of the Nd:YAG laser, it is infrequent and usually the result of improper depth of focus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11219, USA. eyesitemd@gmail.com
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saffra
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Josh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Enin
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mamalis
mesh_terms: D058442:Capsule Opacification / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008954:Models, Biological; D057852:Posterior Capsule of the Lens / Q000601:surgery; D011475:Prosthesis Failure / Q000209:etiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface