Nd: Yag laser in infantile cataract

PURPOSE: To describe and to evaluate the usefulness of Nd: Yag laser in pseudophakic children. METHODS: Twenty-four eyes of 22 pseudophakic patients with posterior capsule opacification, that had been submitted to posterior capsulotomy with Nd:Yag-laser were prospectively analyzed at the Infantile Cataract Section of the Federal University of São Paulo/Paulista School of Medicine, from June 2001 to March 2003. Age at surgery, IOL type, IOL placement, time interval between surgery and posterior capsule opacification, energy needed (mJ), laterality, initial and final visual acuity were analyzed. RESULTS: Capsulotomy was performed in all pseudophakic eyes. Four (16.6%) eyes received polyacrylic implants and 18 (75%) PMMA lenses. Twelve IOL were in the capsular bag and nine in the ciliary sulcus. The laser energy level required was 0,8 mJ to 2 mJ per spot, total amount was 100 mJ. Nd:Yag laser was feasible in 22 (91.6%) eyes. Only two (8.3%) eyes required capsulotomy surgery. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggest that Nd:Yag laser capsulotomy may be a good option to improve visual acuity in pseudophakic children.

Cataract; Cataract extraction; Vitrectomy; Lens implantation, intraocular; Visual acuity; Lens, capsule crystalline; Laser surgery; Child