BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is a standard method for treatment of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in adults. However, there is not enough information available regarding the advantages and disadvantages of its conventional techniques. This study aims to compare cruciate and circular techniques of Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

METHODS: In this clinical trial, 100 eyes of patients with posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Cruciate capsulotomy was performed for the first group and circular capsulotomy was performed for the second group. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, lens shifting, uveitis, macular hole and retinal detachment were examined. In addition, the energy used for rupturing the capsule was recorded. IRCT: 201207037466N4.

FINDINGS: The energy used in circular capsulotomy (345±68.53) was significantly more than the energy used in cruciate capsulotomy (284.4±46.78) (p=0.001). Results showed that there is no significant difference between the two groups in terms of average visibility (p=0.859) and intraocular pressure (p=0.097). Nevertheless, these two variables increase significantly through time (p=0.001). Moreover, there is no significant difference between the two groups in terms of percentage of halo.

CONCLUSION: Since improvement in visual acuity and intraocular pressure was similar in the two groups but the energy used in circular capsulotomy was more than cruciate capsulotomy, cruciate technique is the preferred method.