Localized Peripheral Corneal Densitometry Changes at 1 Month After Laser Posterior Capsulotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes at mounth-1, in corneal densitometry, corneal optical aberrations, best-corrected visual acuity, central corneal thickness, keratometric parameters, and intraocular pressure after neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet laser posterior capsulotomy.

METHODS

This retrospective self-controlled observational study included pseudophakic patients with visually significant posterior capsule opacification who underwent laser posterior capsulotomy. Preoperative and postoperative month-1 examinations included best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, keratometry, central corneal thickness, Scheimpflug-based corneal densitometry, and corneal aberration analysis. Densitometry was assessed in the 0-2, 2-6, 6-10, and 10-12 mm annular zones and in the anterior, central, posterior, and total corneal layers.

RESULTS

Forty-five eyes of 45 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 60 ± 18 years, and 23 patients (51.1%) were female. Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly at postoperative month 1 (p < 0.001). Keratometric values, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, total root mean square, higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, and coma values did not change significantly. Corneal densitometry did not show significant postoperative differences in the 0-2, 2-6, or 10-12 mm zones. However, significant increases were observed in the anterior, central, posterior, and total layers within the 6-10 mm zone (all p < 0.05). No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser posterior capsulotomy was associated with a localized short-term increase in peripheral corneal densitometry in the 6-10 mm zone, without significant changes in central corneal thickness, keratometry, intraocular pressure, or corneal aberrations at 1 month. The clinical relevance and persistence of this subtle densitometric change require prospective evaluation.