Posters

The incidence of floaters following capsulotomy with the multi-modality Ultra Q Reflex YAG laser

Poster Details

First Author: I.Singh USA

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate the postoperative rate of self-reported floaters by patients treated for posterior capsular opacification (PCO) via capsulotomy using the multi-modality Ultra Q Reflex YAG laser (Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd, Adelaide, Australia) compared with a conventional YAG laser.

Setting:

The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA

Methods:

In this randomized single-center study, 16 patients with a symptomatic PCO underwent capsulotomy: 8 patients with the Ultra Q Reflex YAG laser versus 8 patients with the Tango YAG laser (Ellex Medical Lasers Ltd). Patients in both groups were treated using the same laser settings, except for illumination, where coaxial illumination was used in the Ultra Q group to verify remnants of the PCO, and followed up for one month postoperatively. Inclusion criteria were PCO following cataract surgery, no contraindication to capsulotomy. Primary endpoints were self-reported presence of troublesome floaters at the post operative visit.

Results:

Patients had a mean age of 68, 10 women, 6 men. Average PCO density was similar between the two groups. At postoperative week 1, floaters were reported by 25% versus 70% of the Ultra Q and Tango groups, respectively. This fell to 0% and 32.5%, respectively at postoperative Month 1. There were no serious adverse events or surgical complications reported.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that YAG capsulotomy performed with the Ultra Q Reflex is associated with a lower risk of postoperative complaints of floaters, when using the coaxial illumination position, than capsulotomy performed with a conventional laser without a coaxial illumination function. These findings warrant further study over a longer period of time and with a larger cohort of patients.

Financial Disclosure:

receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented