Amruth Lal Yellamelli, Vibha Florence Baldev, Nitin Batra, Arun Bhatti
BACKGROUND
Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most common long term complication of modern extra capsular cataract surgery techniques including phacoemulsification. The treatment of choice for clinically significant posterior capsule opacification is Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. Increased IOP is a well-known complication of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy Effective prophylaxis could prevent the possible optic nerve damage or visual field loss in susceptible patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective randomized study was conducted for one year in the Department of Ophthalmology Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. All patients undergoing laser capsulotomy during this period were randomly distributed into two groups – A or B. Group A received 1 drop of Brimonidine 0.15%, Group B received 1 drop of 0.5% Timolol, one hour prior to presentation. Nd:YAG laser Capsulotomy was done. IOP was measured using an applanation tonometer after 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs and 4 hrs. after completion of procedure. The data was collected as per protocol and statistically analysed using t-test, Chisquare test and Z test.
RESULTS
There were 30 patients in each group. The baseline IOP was 15.10 ± 2.66 mmHg for group A and 16 ± 2.18 mmHg for group B (p = 0.11) (t test). There was no statistically significant reduction between the two groups in the mean IOP changes at 1, 2 or 3 hrs after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. The mean reduction in IOP after 4 hrs. for group was -1.83 mmHg and for group B was - 1.53 mmHg. The difference was statistically significant (p <0.05).
CONCLUSION
Brimonidine 0.15% was found to have an efficacy comparable to that of Timolol 0.5% in preventing post Nd:YAG capsulotomy IOP spikes.
