Comparison of the effectiveness between anterior capsulotomy with Nd:YAG laser and with bent needle in patients with congenital cataract.

The effectiveness of capsulotomy with Nd:YAG laser and with bent needle were compared in 50 patients (66 eyes) with congenital cataract. There were 24 patients (32 eyes) in the laser group and 26 patients (34 eyes) in the needle group. There were not significant differences in sex, age, pre-operative visual acuity and intraocular pressure, and classification of cataract between the two groups. The results show that patients in the laser group have better post-operative visual acuity. The reason is YAG laser capsulotomy lessens the entering of anterior chamber by instruments. The stress on the periphery retina is reduced. The lens cortex is more readily aspirated. In turn, post-operative complications are avoided.