ND-YAG LASER REMOVAL OF PUPILLARY MEMBRANES DEVELOPED AFTER ECCE WITHPC-IOL IMPLANTATION

Purpose: To define the frequency of development of pupillary membranes after ECCE with PC-IOL implantation, and to remove the pupillary memb ranes using the Nd:YAG laser. Methods: From 400 patients who had under gone ECCE and were free from local or systemic illness affecting the b lood-ocular barrier, 20 eyes developed pupillary membranes Nd:YAG lase r was used to remove these pupillary membranes. Results: The frequency of pupillary membranes was found to be 5% (9.8% in per eyes and 3.3% to the non-per eyes). Visual acuity improved in 17 eyes by 2 to 5 Snel len lines. No serious complications were observed, endothelium inclusi ve. Conclusion: Pseudoexfoliation might play a significant role in the development of postoperative pupillary membranes which could be succe ssfully treated with the use of Nd:YAG laser. The safety of the proced ure has to be evaluated in relation to the corneal endothelium damage in long-term.