AIM:To investigate the effect of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet(Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy on foveal retina using three-dimensional ocular coherence tomography(3D-OCT) for posterior capsular opacification after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens(IOL) implantation.METHODS:Our study included 65 patients(79 eyes) with posterior capsular opacification after phacoemul-sification surgery.Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was performed with varied laser energy in all patients according to their different degrees of posterior opacification.3D-OCT was used to check fundus changes at 10 minutes and 7 days after the laser treatment.Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) and anterior segment changes were also checked.RESULTS:All of the 79 eyes successfully underwent Nd:YAG capsulotomy,with improved postoperative BCVA in varying degrees.No inflammatory reactions were found in their anterior chambers,and only six of them presented pitting trace on the optical surface of IOL.At 10 minutes and 7 days after capsulotomy,the average macular retinal thickness(CMT) was 201.36±41.27μm and 197.23±36.54μm,respectively.Both were slightly thicker than that of normal group at the same age,whose CMT was 189.95±43.57μm averagely.But there were no statistically significant differences beween them(P>0.05).A discontinuous inner segment and outer segment(IS/OS) line and unclear structure of every layer on the macular area were detected in a small number of the patients.CONCLUSION:Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is an effecitive and safe method of treating different kinds of posterior capsular opacification.Foveal thickness is similar with normal peer group and retinal structure has no obvious abnormal changes at 10 minutes and 7 days after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy,as determined by 3D-OCT.Skilled operation techniques and appropriate laser energy could diminish its side effects on retina.