A YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is a procedure performed to treat cloudy vision that may remain after undergoingcataract eye surgery.
Bill Oxford / Getty Images
A cataract is a clouding or opacification of the human lens of the eye. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness among people older than 55.Most older people have some degree of lens clouding, which is a normal part of aging.
However, cataracts can occur for other reasons other than aging. An infant can be born with a congenital cataract. Also, trauma to the eye can cause a traumatic cataract.
Some medications, such as prednisone, a corticosteroid, can cause cataracts. Finally, some medical conditions such as diabetes can put one at risk of developing early cataracts.
If you wonder what it is like to have a cataract, think about looking through a fogged-up, cloudy window. Cataracts make your visual field appear fuzzy or blurry.
Causes
A cataract affects thelensof the eye.
The lens is located behind the iris. It is responsible for focusing light on the retina, and for producing clear, sharp images. The lens has the ability to change shape, known asaccommodation.As the eyes age, however, the lens hardens and loses its ability to accommodate.
The entire lens is contained within a lens capsule.
Although not a true cataract, it is often referred to as a “secondary cataract.” This secondary cataract is quite common in patients that have had cataract surgery. The cloudiness can develop shortly after cataract surgery or many years after cataract surgery.
To treat this posterior capsule opacification, doctors use a type of laser called a Yag laser to make a hole in the back of the capsule to clear away the cloudiness so that light may pass freely to the back of the eye.
The Procedure
YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is an outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia. The procedure is painless and only takes between 5 and 10 minutes. Some patients see small spots or floaters after the procedure.
In some cases, people are placed on an anti-inflammatory eye drop for approximately a week. In most cases, a YAG laser posterior capsulotomy will restore vision to normal
However, the vision or lens prescription worn before the YAG treatment may no longer be satisfactory. Most doctors will do a follow-up visit in about a week or two. At this visit, the area that was lasered will be checked. The doctor will also perform arefractionand update glasses if needed.
Once a YAG laser procedure is performed, the haziness or cloudiness usually does not return. In most cases, once a YAG laser procedure is performed, vision is stable for quite some time.
Laser Cataract Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Posterior Capsulotomy?
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Posterior Capsulotomy?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.National Eye Institute.Cataracts.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Surgery.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Posterior Capsulotomy?
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Common Eye Disorders.
National Eye Institute.Cataracts.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Cataract Surgery.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What Is a Posterior Capsulotomy?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
