OBJECTIVES: Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgical operation in the EU and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, a procedure to treat posterior capsular opacification (PCO), is the most commonly reported complication after cataract surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy reported in the literature for hydrophobic monofocal AcrySof^® IOLs versus non-AcrySof monofocal acrylic IOLs (hydrophilic and hydrophobic).

METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through a systematic literature search using Embase^®, MEDLINE^®, MEDLINE^®-In Process, and Cochrane platforms (January 1996 through July 2016). Meta-analyses evaluating the incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy at ≤1 year, between 1 and 2 years, and >2 years were conducted comparing AcrySof^® IOLs versus non-AcrySof hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. Subgroup analyses were also conducted between groups.

RESULTS: