A 65-year-old woman develops gradual decrease in vision 3 months after an uneventful cataract surgery with in-the-bag IOL implantation. Slit-lamp examination shows a wrinkled, thickened posterior capsule with Elschnig pearls. The most appropriate treatment is:

• A Nd:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy
• B Surgical polishing of the posterior capsule
• C IOL exchange
• D Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy ✓

Explanation

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), the most common late complication of cataract surgery, is caused by residual lens epithelial cells that migrate onto the posterior capsule and undergo fibrous or bladder cell (Elschnig pearls) metaplasia. Treatment is Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, which creates an opening in the central posterior capsule to restore a clear visual axis. The procedure is safe, quick, and restores vision effectively.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.