Probability of Nd:YAG laer capulotomy after cataract urgery in Olmted County, Minneota

PURPOE: To etimate the cumulative probability of Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomy after cataract extraction in a geographically defined population. METHOD: Rocheter Epidemiology Project databae were ued to identify retropectively all Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomie performed on Olmted County, Minneota, reident who had previouly undergone cataract extraction between 1988 and 1996, incluive. Demographic data and potential rik factor for laer, including age, ex, urgical technique, year of urgery, and intraocular len material, were obtained by chart review or by retrieval from computer databae. The cumulative probability of Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomy wa calculated by Kaplan-Meier etimate, and rik factor were analyzed uing the Cox proportional hazard model. REULT: A total of 925 Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomie were identified after 3541 cataract extraction in 2718 patient. The cumulative probability of Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomy after cataract urgery wa 6% (95% confidence INTERVAL = 5% to 7%) at 1 year, increaing to 38% (35% to 40%) at 9 year. Young age at the time of urgery (P = .02), polymethylmethacrylate intraocular len material (P < .001), earlier year of urgery (P < .001), and extracapular extraction (in comparion with phacoemulification, P < .001) were found to increae ignificantly the rik of ubequent Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomy. Woman tended to have a greater probability of Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomy (P = .17), but thi difference wa not tatitically ignificant. CONCLUION: Nd:YAG laer poterior capulotomy wa common after cataract urgery but infrequent during the firt potoperative year. Prolonged follow-up i neceary in invetigation of the effect of new cataract urgery technologie on the probability of capulotomy.