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

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the impact of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (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, 8,232 eyes underwent Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Our analysis demonstrated an increased risk of RD with Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy (RR=1.57; 95%CI, 1.17-2.12; P=0.003; HR=1.64; 95%CI, 1.03-2.62; P=0.04). Subgroup analysis suggested somewhat stronger associations in Asian (RR=4.54; 95%CI, 2.20-9.38; P<0.0001) than in non-Asian populations (America, P=0.12; Europe and others, P=0.21), and with extracapsular cataract extraction (RR=2.97; 95%CI, 1.83-4.83; P<0.0001) than with phacoemulsification (P=0.95). To conclude, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy may be associated with an increased risk of pseudophakic RD.