Background: Retinal detachment (RD) following cataract extraction is a serious and potentially sight-threatening event that will often necessitate further surgical intervention. Of the several risk factors reported in the literature, Neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy has been reported to increase the risk of RD following cataract surgery up to 4.9-fold. The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of characteristics in pseudophakic RD with or without Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy and the possible role of atrophic retinal holes in pseudophakic RD after posterior capsulotomy.
Methods: Retrospective review of 78 cases of pseudophakic RD after uncomplicated extracapsular lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation was done. Twenty-one of them received Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy before RD. We measured the numbers, types, and locations of retinal breaks and several other risk factors associated with RD. Analysis was performed with the system of Statistical Products and Services Solutions (SPSS).
Results: The ratio of retinal holes only in retinal breaks that caused retinal detachment was significantly higher in the capsulotomy group than the non-capsulotomy group (12/21 vs 14/57, p = 0.05). Only three patients in the capsulotomy group claimed significant symptoms before the detachment. There was no significant difference in mean number of retinal breaks and break location. Other risk factors predisposing to RD did not differ significantly between the two groups (13/21 vs 23/57, p = 0.12), nor did the interval from cataract surgery to RD (31.20 vs 29.44 months, p = 0.48).
Conclusions: This primitive study suggests that asymptomatic atrophic retinal holes, usually not regarded as an absolute risk factor for RD, might lead to RD preferentially after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Early identification and treatment of such breaks might decrease the incidence of pseudophakic RD. We suggest that it is necessary to perform detailed preoperative and postoperative fundus examination and treat prophylactically any identified breaks, including asymptomatic atrophic retinal holes, in pseudophakic eyes after Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.