Discover how this hassle-free treatment gives you clear vision after cataract surgery
YAG Laser Capsulotomy is a fast, effective and painless treatment for posterior capsule opacity.
In a cataract operation, we replace the cloudy lens from your eye (the cataract) with an artificial lens. In about 10% of cataract surgery patients, cells remaining after the surgery can grow over the thin membrane behind the lens (called the posterior capsule), causing it to become thicker and hazy.
Posterior capsule opacity can also occur in people who have had refractive lens exchange surgery.
YAG laser capsulotomy is a fast and simple procedure that we perform at the Eye Institute clinic. It does not require you to enter the surgical theatre, so is often done on the same day as your consultation with the doctor.
The procedure involves using a YAG (Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) laser to remove the hazy tissue behind the lens implant. It takes about 5 minutes and is a once-off procedure – the opacity does not come back.
Advantages
-
- Improved vision
- Quick recovery
- Painless procedure
Disadvantages
- Additional procedure may be needed
Risks include:
- Inflammation
- Increased floaters
You do not need to treat posterior capsule opacity if it is not causing any major effects on your vision.
What’s involved in a YAG laser capsulotomy?
Your eye surgeon will put drops in your eye to dilate your pupils.
We will use a specialised YAG laser 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.
After the procedure, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. You’ll be able to go home immediately, and should be able to resume normal activities straight away. We may give you anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for a few days.
Posterior Capsule Opacity
Post-Op YAG Laser Capsulotomy
It’s quite common for patients to notice an immediate improvement after their YAG laser capsulotomy treatment. 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. Still, serious side effects with YAG laser capsulotomy are very rare.
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Our industry-leading experts are here to guide you every step of the way
Dr Nick Mantell is a Refractive laser, Refractive Lens Exchange and Cataract Specialist. He has been working in private practice for 20 years.
With four decades at the forefront of eye surgery in New Zealand, Dr Ring was an early exponent of modern multi-focal technology. He was also part of the esteemed small team that introduced laser surgery to the country.
A cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist Dr Subbiah has been with Eye institute since 2013. His easy manner and affable nature have found a natural home in New Zealand medicine.
Dr Watson’s focus – pun intended – is the front of the eye. His combination of specialisations enables him to address the face, eyelids, tear drainage system, the surface of the eye and cornea together as a single functional unit to give the best possible outcome.
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
Will is an acknowledged expert in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. He splits his time between the Eye Institute and works publicly at the Greenlane Clinical Centre.
Dr Hill completed her MBBS at St Georges University of London in 2008, also obtaining an Intercalated BSc from King’s College University, London.
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours. He has been at Eye Institute for 17 years.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand and an expert cataract surgeon. She has a logical approach, an empathetic manner and a passion for the pursuit of excellence.
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon based at Eye Institute Hawke’s Bay at Kaweka Hospital.
Dr Kaliopy Matheos is a New Zealand-trained Ophthalmologist specialising in Glaucoma & Anterior Segment Surgery at the University of Toronto in Canada.
As part of his ophthalmology specialty training, Dr Dunne gained valuable experience in major centres such as Auckland and Wellington.
Dr. Jay Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon with expertise in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries. He has a gentle demeanour and provides personalised care by tailoring treatments to each patient’s needs.
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
Dr Baswati Sahoo
Dr Baswati Sahoo is a cataract and glaucoma surgeon from India with over 15 years of experience in Ophthalmology.
Dr Shira Sheen
Shira completed Ophthalmology training in Israel, under the supervision of world known Ophthalmologist, Professor Ehud Assia.
Dr Ammar Binsadiq
Dr Ammar Binsadiq is a New Zealand-trained ophthalmologist with subspeciality training in medical retinal, cataract and vitreoretinal surgery.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand and an expert cataract surgeon. She has a logical approach, an empathetic manner and a passion for the pursuit of excellence.
LEARN MORE
With four decades at the forefront of eye surgery in New Zealand, Dr Ring was an early exponent of modern multi-focal technology. He was also part of the esteemed small team that introduced laser surgery to the country.
LEARN MORE
A cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist Dr Subbiah has been with Eye institute since 2013. His easy manner and affable nature have found a natural home in New Zealand medicine.
LEARN MORE
Dr Watson’s focus – pun intended – is the front of the eye. His combination of specialisations enables him to address the face, eyelids, tear drainage system, the surface of the eye and cornea together as a single functional unit to give the best possible outcome.
LEARN MORE
Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
LEARN MORE
Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
LEARN MORE
Will is an acknowledged expert in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. He splits his time between the Eye Institute and works publicly at the Greenlane Clinical Centre.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours. He has been at Eye Institute for 17 years
LEARN MORE
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon based at Eye Institute Hawke’s Bay at Kaweka Hospital.
LEARN MORE
Dr Kaliopy Matheos is a New Zealand-trained Ophthalmologist specialising in Glaucoma & Anterior Segment Surgery at the University of Toronto in Canada.
LEARN MORE
Dr. Jay J. Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon with expertise in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries. He has a gentle demeanour and provides personalised care by tailoring treatments to each patient’s needs.
LEARN MORE
Dr Reeves has advanced training in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. He offers a variety of laser and surgical treatments including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Nick Mantell is a Refractive laser, Refractive Lens Exchange and Cataract Specialist. He has been working in private practice for 20 years.
LEARN MORE
Dr Hill completed her MBBS at St Georges University of London in 2008, also obtaining an Intercalated BSc from King’s College University, London..
LEARN MORE
As part of his ophthalmology specialty training, Dr Dunne gained valuable experience in major centres such as Auckland and Wellington.
LEARN MORE
Dr Ammar Binsadiq is a New Zealand-trained ophthalmologist with subspeciality training in medical retinal, cataract and vitreoretinal surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr Baswati Sahoo is a cataract and glaucoma surgeon from India with over 15 years of experience in Ophthalmology.
LEARN MORE
Dr Shira Sheen completed Ophthalmology training in Israel, under the supervision of world known Ophthalmologist, Professor Ehud Assia.
LEARN MORE
Dr Edward Hutchins specialises in Cataract, Corneal, Medical Retina & Vitreoretinal surgery.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about refractive cataract surgery from authoritative sources.
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