Meena Zaidi, Saiyid Nasir Askari
Department of Ophthalmology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

Aim: Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, which is a routine procedure to treat posterior capsular opacification, changes the fluid dynamics of the eye and may also change the positioning of the intraocular lens. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the extent of these changes, which are expressed as anterior chamber depth, intraocular pressure, and refractive status.
Patients and Methods: Fifty two eyes of 49 patients were included in the study and their intraocular pressures, anterior chamber depth, and refractive status were measured before and 1 hour, 1 week, and 3 months after the procedure.
Results: The anterior chamber depth decreases following capsulotomy in 70% of patients but intraocular pressure only changes in patients who are predisposed to high intraocular pressure. Capsulotomy also causes some changes in the spherical equivalent of refraction, which decreases with time.
Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy leads to definite and significant changes in anterior chamber depth and refraction. Therefore, the prescription of spectacles should be avoided immediately after capsulotomy.

Key Words: Anterior chamber, Intraocular pressure, Laser therapy, Refractive index
Asian J Ophthalmol 2002;5(2 Suppl):1-37.