Free previewYou're reading the free part of this topic. The rest is included with Clinical.See what's included
Posterior capsular opacification
Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Key Points
- •PCO is the most common long-term complication of cataract surgery; incidence 2–12% at 5 years with modern square-edge IOLs (historically 20–50%).
- •A sharp/square posterior optic edge is the single most important IOL design feature for preventing PCO - it creates a physical barrier to LEC migration.
- •Always perform OCT macula before Nd:YAG capsulotomy - reduced vision may be due to CME or ERM rather than PCO.
- •IOP spike is the most common complication of Nd:YAG capsulotomy - prevent with apraclonidine 1% or brimonidine 0.2% pre-treatment.
- •Avoid Nd:YAG capsulotomy within 3–6 months of cataract surgery to reduce risk of CME and retinal detachment.
- •Elschnig pearls (regenerative/pearl-type) cause more visual symptoms than fibrotic PCO and are more common in younger patients.
Free preview ends here
Keep reading Posterior capsular opacification
17 more sections are included with the Clinical plan.
- Definition
- Epidemiology
- Aetiology and causes
- Pathogenesis
- Classification
- Risk factors and associations