Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s natural but clouded lens and replacing it with a clear, artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The lens sits in a thin membrane called a capsule, which surrounds and supports the lens. It’s not uncommon for cloudy vision to return within just a few months or years following cataract surgery. 

This condition, called posterior capsule opacification (PCO), occurs when the rear side of the capsule becomes cloudy. PCO can be easily corrected through a procedure called posterior capsulotomy, also known as YAG laser capsulotomy. Learn what to expect from YAG laser capsulotomy to correct PCO.*  

What can I expect during YAG laser capsulotomy?

Posterior capsulotomy is typically performed in the ophthalmologist’s office or an outpatient surgery center, and takes around five to ten minutes to complete. The procedure involves:

• Numbing of the eye with eye drops, possibly accompanied by dilating drops, and
• Use of a special laser to create a small opening in the back of the lens capsule, allowing light to once again pass through the lens (and capsule) to the retina, clearing your vision

Post-procedure, patients can usually resume normal daily activities once their vision clears, though driving home immediately afterward may not be advisable. Eye-drop medication may be prescribed for a few days post-surgery, and vision improvement is typically noticeable within 24 hours.

What are the risks of YAG laser capsulotomy?

While YAG laser capsulotomy is a common, effective, and generally safe procedure, its risks and potential complications include:

• Detached retina, characterized by symptoms such as the perception of a gray curtain moving across one’s field of vision, floaters, or flashes of light
• Increased eye pressure
• Movement of the IOL through the posterior capsule opening
• Eye swelling, which may require treatment with steroid eye drops

Make sure to immediately report any symptoms to your ophthalmologist, particularly if you experience the symptoms of a detached retina, as that requires quick medical attention.

*Boyd, K. (2022, September 8). YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy for Secondary Cataracts. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-posterior-capsulotomy 

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