Kozobolis V P, Pallikaris I G, Tsambarlakis I G, Vlachonikolis I G
University of Crete, School of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Vardinoyannion Eye Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.
Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 1997 Dec;75(6):711-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0420.1997.tb00636.x.
To define the frequency of development of pupillary membranes after ECCE with PC-IOL implantation, and to remove the pupillary membranes using the Nd:YAG laser.
From 400 patients who had undergone ECCE and were free from local or systemic illness affecting the blood-ocular barrier, 20 eyes developed pupillary membranes Nd:YAG laser was used to remove these pupillary membranes.
The frequency of pupillary membranes was found to be 5% (9.8% in pex eyes and 3.3% to the non-pex eyes). Visual acuity improved in 17 eyes by 2 to 5 Snellen lines. No serious complications were observed, endothelium inclusive.
Pseudoexfoliation might play a significant role in the development of postoperative pupillary membranes which could be successfully treated with the use of Nd:YAG laser. The safety of the procedure has to be evaluated in relation to the corneal endothelium damage in long-term.
