Effect of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy on the risk for retinal detachment after cataract surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy on the incidence of pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD). The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to study location, number of cases, mean follow-up time, and cataract procedure. The final analysis included 11 studies with 309 cases of RD in 65 117 eyes undergoing cataract surgery. Among them, 8232 eyes underwent Nd:YAG capsulotomy. This analysis demonstrated an increased risk for RD with Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy (relative risk [RR], 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17-2.12; P = .003; hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.03-2.62; P = .04). Subgroup analysis suggested somewhat stronger associations in Asian (RR, 4.54; 95% CI, 2.20-9.38; P < .0001) than in non-Asian populations (Americans, P = .12; Europeans and others, P = .21) and with extracapsular cataract extraction (RR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.83-4.83; P < .0001) than with phacoemulsification ( P = .95). To conclude, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy may be associated with an increased risk for pseudophakic RD.