UNVEILING VISUAL ACUITY AND INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE SHIFTS AFTER Nd:YAG LASER CAPSULOTOMY FOR POSTERIOR CAPSULE OPACIFICATION

Introduction: Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) of the lensis a frequent complication following cataract surgerywith intraocular lens implantation, leading to visual decline and symptoms like blurred vision, glare and halos around lights 1. Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is a common treatment for PCO, using a laser to create an opening in the opacified lens capsule to restore vision. Although effective, the procedure can cause a transient increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) 3. Aim: To evaluate visual acuity outcomes and IOP changes following Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for PCO. Material and Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out from December 2022 to June 2024 with 61 eyes of 61 patients posted for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, after receiving permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) and taking informed written consent from the participating patients. The procedure was performed with standard techniques using Appa YAG Laser Machine Model 307, and patients were followed up at 1 hour, 4 hours, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after the procedure. Visual acuity and IOP were monitored, and statistical comparisons were made. Statistical analysis used: Statistical tests to compare pre-procedure and post-procedure outcomesusing paired t-tests and p-value. Results: Visual acuity improved significantly (p-value<0.05) from the pre-procedure mean value of 6/60 to 6/9 one month after the procedure. IOP increased transiently, peaking at 20 mmHg in 4 hours post-procedure but returning to baseline levels (15 mmHg) by 28 days. This pattern of transient IOP elevation is consistent with the inflammatory response following the procedure. Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy improves visual acuity significantly with manageable transient IOP elevations. The procedurehas a favorable safety profile, withIOP levels returning to baseline within a month. Ongoing monitoring is crucial to managing any potential complication, and further research with longer follow-up is recommended for a comprehensive understanding of long-term outcomes.