Complete blood cell count-derived inflammation biomarkers and the need for laser capsulotomy due to posterior capsule opacification following cataract surgery

Abstract

Background: Inflammation plays a significant role in the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of lens epithelial cells after cataract surgery, clinically manifested as posterior capsule opacification (PCO). This condition is typically treated with neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy. Our objective is to evaluate the association between blood-derived inflammatory markers and the development of clinically significant PCO necessitating treatment with laser capsulotomy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of charts for all patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in our department between January 2021 and December 2022. The study included 70 patients who diagnosed with clinically significant PCO requiring treatment with Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy following cataract surgery, as well as 70 pseudophakic controls with no signs of PCO. Complete blood cell count parameters were obtained from medical records and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were calculated. Results: The mean age of the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and control group was 71.83 +/- 8.46 and 72.27 +/- 9.98 years, respectively. The preoperative NLR scores for the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy group (mean rank = 34.43) were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (mean rank = 25.41) (p = 0.044). However, after adjusting for preoperative measurements, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for the other parameters. Conclusion: Preoperative NLR scores were higher in patients who developed clinically significant PCO requiring treatment with Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. This finding suggests that patients with elevated systemic inflammation may be at an increased risk of developing PCO following cataract surgery. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of PCO.