Long-term follow-up of neodymium:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy for the treatment of anterior capsular phimosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy for the treatment of anterior capsular phimosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive case series of Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy in patients with anterior capsular phimosis, who were treated between November 2012 and April 2014. Data collected included risk factors, interval between surgery and capsulotomy, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and diameter of anterior capsule opening before and after Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of 11 patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 30.1 ± 4.5 months (range: 26–42 months). At the last follow-up, the mean diameter of the anterior capsule opening was 5.1 ± 0.2 mm, which was significantly greater than the diameter before laser capsulotomy (2.2 ± 0.8 mm). BCVA remained stable or improved in nine eyes (81.8%) following capsulotomy. No patients experienced recurrence of phimosis. CONCLUSIONS: In a long-term study of >2 years, we found that Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy is safe and effective for the treatment of anterior capsule phimosis.