INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE AFTER NEODYMIUM-YAG LASER TREATMENTS IN THE ANTERIOR SEGMENT

Intraocular pressure (IOP) increase soon after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) treatments in the anterior segment has been reported. To evaluate this complication in a large sample of patients, we conducted a retrospect ive study of all Nd:YAG treatments during three years. Three hundred f orty capsulotomies and 212 iridotomies were performed with the Q-switc hed Nd:YAG laser. An IOP elevation of 10 mm Hg or more within two hour s of laser surgery was seen in 15 eyes (4.4%) that had a capsulotomy b ut in 45 eyes (21.2%) that had an iridotomy. In 13 of the 15 eyes in w hich the IOP increased after capsulotomy, additional risk factors (gla ucoma, high myopia, aphakia) were found. Our results indicate that pos terior capsulotomy with the Nd:YAG laser in otherwise healthy, pseudop hakic eyes is usually not accompanied by immediate IOP elevation. Elev ation can be predicted by risk factors and therefore anticipated in a small group of vulnerable patients.