Evaluation of quality of life and visual acuity after posterior capsulotomy with neodymium: YAG laser in adults

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the impact of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy on quality of life and visual acuity in adults. Methods: A prospective study that included patients over 65 years old with clinical indications for Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. On the day of the procedure, corrected distance visual acuity tests, slit-lamp examination and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) photo documentation were performed, followed by application of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25). The PCO rate was evaluated with Evaluation of Posterior Capsule opacification (EPCO 2000) software. Four weeks after the posterior capsulotomy, corrected distance visual acuity was measured, and the NEI-VFQ-25 was applied again. Complications were also reported.Results: Sixty eyes from 45 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 71.51 ± 6.38 years (65 to 93). Comparing the results before and after the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, there was a statistically significant improvement in quality of life according to the NEI-VFQ-25 (p>0.001) and in visual acuity (p=0.0). The mean score in NEI-VFQ-25 Questionnaire before capsulotomy was 62.07 ± 20.90 (16.81-95.90) and after was 83.95±19.49 (20.68 - 100.0). The mean CDVA before the procedure was 0.75 ± 0.35 LogMAR (0.1-1.3) and after was 0.21 ± 0.20 LogMAR (0.0-1.3). The mean PCO rate measured by the EPCO software was 0.688 ± 0.449. There was a positive correlation between the EPCO score and the total score of quality of life after Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy (r=0.845, p=0.00). Damage to intraocular lens was the only complication observed in six eyes (10%).Conclusion: Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy, in addition to improving visual acuity, is able to improve quality of life.