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 Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
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.
Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
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.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
As part of his ophthalmology specialty training, Dr Dunne gained valuable experience in major centres such as Auckland and Wellington
Dr Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
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 Sahoo is a glaucoma, cataract and anterior segment surgeon and a member of the Royal college of Surgeons Glasgow.
Dr Narme Deva is a key opinion leader for Medical retina and Uveitis in New Zealand.
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Dr Watson specialises in treating many aspects of the eye, including the face, eyelids, tear drainage system and the cornea.
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Professor Danesh-Meyer is an international authority on glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and one of the most highly regarded experts in her field.
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Professor Charles McGhee, a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon for 25 years, specialises in corneal diseases and cataract surgery.
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Dr Cunningham is a consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery.
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Dr Hadden specialises in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, including the treatment of intraocular tumours.
LEARN MORE
Dr Elizabeth Insull is a New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon.
LEARN MORE
Dr Matheos is an ophthalmologist with subspecialist training in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery and pterygium surgery.
LEARN MORE
Dr. Meyer is a specialist eye surgeon specialising in cataracts, glaucoma, and corneal diseases and surgeries.
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 Perumal is a New Zealand trained ophthalmologist with advanced training in glaucoma and cataract surgery.
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Dr Mantell is a specialist in refractive and cataract surgery. He has restored the vision of thousands of people in his 17-year career.
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, with a final two years undertaking Medical Retina advanced training based at the Greenlane Eye Clinic in Auckland.
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Learn more about refractive cataract surgery from authoritative sources.
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