Posterior Capsular Opacification: Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment with Nd-YAG Laser

Abstract

Opacification of the posterior capsule is one of the most common complications after cataract surgery as a result of migration and proliferation of epithelial cell debris left in the capsular bag from the time of surgery. At first, this opacification occurs in the periphery and then moves toward the central area, which may affect, ultimately and if not diagnosed early, central vision and cause a decrease in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity. The treatment needed for vision restoration consists in removing the opacity by capsulotomy with Nd-YAG laser. New designs and materials of intraocular and haptic lenses, availability of capsular tension rings and improvement of the surgical procedure have made the incidence rate of posterior capsular opacity decrease significantly.