Correlation between posterior capsule opacification and visual function before and after Neodymium: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and contrast sensitivity with glare source (glare sensitivity), and the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) before and after neodymiumyttrium-aluminum-garnet (NdYAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. METHODS: Eighty-four patients (90 pseudophakic eyes) scheduled to undergo NdYAG laser capsulotomy were recruited. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with and without the presence of a circular glare source (using the contrast glare tester) were measured before and after NdYAG laser capsulotomy. The PCO density value was measured using a Scheimpflug videophotography system. The visual functions were statistically correlated with the PCO value. RESULTS: Before NdYAG laser capsulotomy, strong correlation existed between the PCO value and visual acuity (r = 0.728). Contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity were also weakly correlated with the PCO value, but the correlation coefficients were smaller than that of visual acuity. After NdYAG laser capsulotomy, mean visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and glare sensitivity at all visual angles improved significantly (P <.0001). After capsulotomy, no significant correlation was found between visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, or glare sensitivity and the PCO value. CONCLUSIONS: Before NdYAG laser capsulotomy, visual functions correlated significantly with the degree of PCO. Specifically, visual acuity has a stronger association with PCO than does contrast sensitivity or glare sensitivity and therefore should be considered to reflect most accurately the degree of PCO. After capsulotomy, these visual functions improve markedly and no longer have a significant correlation with PCO.