Intraindividual Capsular Bag Shrinkage Comparing Standard and Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To examine the dynamics of capsular bag changes over 3 months of healing after standard cataract surgery and laser-assisted cataract surgery. METHODS: One hundred six eyes of 53 patients with visually significant cataracts were treated with laser-assisted cataract surgery in one eye and standard phacoemulsification in the other. A capsular measuring ring was implanted in both eyes and effective phacoemulsification time was recorded. Capsular bag diameter was measured at six time points within 3 months of follow-up. Intraindividual capsular bag shrinkage was calculated. RESULTS: The laser group required less ultrasound energy to remove the softened nucleus than the standard group (effective phacoemulsification time: 0.03 vs 1.25 sec; P < .005). The laser group had statistically significantly less capsular bag shrinkage than the standard group at all time points from 1 to 3 months (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Lens position changes within 3 months postoperatively may be lessened with laser-assisted cataract surgery in comparison to standard phacoemulsification due the decreased capsular bag shrinkage during this period. A tendency toward earlier stabilization of the capsular bag diameter with laser-assisted cataract surgery provides potential for more predictable effective lens position and intraocular lens power calculations.