YAG Laser Capsulotomy

Fast, effective and painless treatment for posterior capsule opacity – also known as ‘secondary cataracts’.

In a cataract operation, the cloudy lens from your eye (the cataract) is replaced with an artificial lens. In about 10% of cataract surgery patients, the thin membrane behind the lens (called the posterior capsule) can become hazy. This causes blurred vision, much like a cataract, which is why posterior capsule opacity is often called a ‘secondary cataract’.

Procedure time

Only a few minutes. A YAG laser capsulotomy procedure is extremely fast, simple and effective. It can be performed in the consulting room, so there’s no need for you to go into surgery, and it’s completely painless too.

Typical results

It’s quite common for patients to notice an immediate improvement after their YAG laser capsulotomy treatment, and you should expect your vision to improve within a day. There is a chance that you may have some ‘floaters’ in your vision for a few weeks afterwards, but serious side effects with YAG laser capsulotomy are very rare.

What’s involved in a YAG laser capsulotomy?

Posterior Capsule Opacity

Post-Op YAG Laser Capsulotomy

Before the procedure, your experienced eye surgeon will need to put drops in your eye to dilate your pupils. A specialised YAG laser is used to make a small hole in the posterior capsule (the membrane behind the lens of your eye) removing the posterior capsule opacity or ‘haziness’. This only takes a few minutes, and is completely painless.

Afterwards

After the procedure you shouldn’t feel any discomfort, although you will be given anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for a few days. You’ll be able to go home immediately, and should be able to resume normal activities straight away.