To evaluate the cumulative incidence and estimate the risk factors of Nd:YAG capsulotomy due to posterior capsular opacification in adult cataract patients younger than 50 years of age.

In the present study we retrospectively reviewed 118 consecutive eyes that received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. We analyzed the cumulative incidence of Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy and the associated risk factors.

The cumulative incidence of posterior capsulotomy was 4.24%, 5.08%, 8.47%, 15.25%, and 20.34% in adults younger than 50 years of age at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and more than 24 months after cataract surgery, respectively. The nuclear type ( p = 0.021) and the mature type ( p = 0.014) cataract groups were strongly associated with an increased risk of posterior capsulotomy compared with the posterior subcapsular type. The hydrophobic and single-piece intraocular lens caused the lowest incidence of posterior capsulotomy among intraocular lenses used for cataract surgery ( p = 0.028). The subgroup analysis showed no statistical significance between gender, existence of diabetic mellitus or glaucoma, intraocular lens haptic material and the risk of posterior capsulotomy ( p > 0.05).

The cumulative incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy was 20.34% in adults younger than 50 years of age and at more than 24 months after cataract surgery. The risk factors associated with posterior capsulotomy included nuclear and mature cataract types. Additionally, there was a difference in the incidence of posterior capsulotomy according to the type of intraocular lenses.