Incidence and Risk Factors of Nd: YAG Posterior Capsulotomy in Adult Cataract Patients Younger than 50 Years
Purpose
To evaluate the risk factors and the incidence of Nd: YAG posterior capsulotomy due to posterior capsular opacification in adult cataract patients whom are under 50 years old by different age groups.
Methods
We retrospectively studied on 280 eyes that received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Total observation period was 26.2 months on average. We divided subjects into three different age groups - 20's, 30's and 40's to evaluate incidence of posterior capsulotomy. And investigated risk factors based on gender, age, type of cataract, type of intraocular lens(IOLs), axial length, existence of diabetic mellitus, history of ocular trauma, atopic dermatitis and refractive surgery using statistical analysis.
Results
The incidence of posterior capsulotomy was 13.9% and there is no statistical significant differences by age(p=0.595). we divided subjects into three different groups by axial length(<22mm,22~26mm,>26mm).Longer axial length showed statistically significant increase in the incidence of posterior capsulotomy(multivariate Cox regression analysis,[HR]=1.138;95%[CI]=1.008-1.284;p=0.036). The incidence of posterior capsulotomy was higher in women than in men(p=0.006).Correlation between posterior capsulotomy and type of cataract, type of IOLs, existence of diabetic mellitus, history of ocular trauma, atopic dermatitis and refractive surgery were not statistically significant.
Conclusion
The difference in the incidence of Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy by age was not statistically significant in adult cataract patients whom are under 50 years old. We found out that longer axial length resulted higher risk of posterior capsulotomy.