YAG-laser interventions are associated with the risk of complications, including in the cornea.

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the condition of the cornea after laser discission (LD) of secondary cataracts (SC) and laser iridectomy (LI) using corneal confocal microscopy (CCM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Group 1 included patients with the diagnosis “Pseudophakia, secondary cataract”, they underwent LD of SC. Patients of group 1 were divided into 2 subgroups depending on the initial state of the cornea: group 1A included patients with unaltered corneas; group 1B — with changes in the corneas. Group 2 included patients diagnosed with angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) or suspected ACG, they underwent LI. CCM was performed on the Heidelberg HRT-III system. Laser treatment was performed using the Nd:YAG-laser LPULSA SYL-9000, λ=1.064 µm.

RESULTS

Immediately after treatment, subgroup 1A exhibited singular hyperreflective deposits and negligible endothelial cell loss (ECL). After 1 month, CMM findings revealed no changes in this subgroup. In subgroup 1B, a post-LD reduction in endothelial cell density led to increased polymegathism, decreased pleomorphism, heightened endothelial cell nucleus reflectivity, and moderate hyperreflective deposits after 1 month. In the second group, significant hyperreflective deposits of various sizes, increased nucleus reflectivity, and notable endothelial cell density reduction were observed immediately and 1 month after LI.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that the possibility of developing corneal complications after photo destructive laser interventions is to a certain extent related to the initial state of the cornea. The risk of developing corneal damage increases with decreasing distance between the cornea and the irradiated structure. An increase in the level of laser radiation energy and its total values also contributes to damage to the cornea, which is possible with dense secondary cataracts and thick irises.