YAG to Clean a Cloudy Lens Implant

After cataract surgery your Lens Implant can cloud over.  

This is called a posterior capsule opacity.

To clean the IntraOcular Lens Implant we use a procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy which can restore vision following posterior capsular opacification.

During cataract surgery, your surgeon removes the cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL). Much of the thin clear membrane that surrounds the natural lens (called the lens capsule) is left intact during surgery and the IOL usually is implanted within it.

When the cataract is removed, your surgeon makes every attempt to maintain the integrity of the lens capsule, and normally your vision after cataract surgery should be very clear.

However, in about 10-20 percent of patients, the posterior portion of the capsule becomes cloudy some time  months or years later, causing PCO.  

Treating Posterior Capsule Opacity

A YAG laser can treat posterior capsule opacity safely and effectively. This procedure, known as YAG laser capsulotomy,  can be performed at Hyde Eyecare.

YAG laser capsulotomy involves just a few simple steps:

• Usually the eye is dilated before the procedure, with dilating eye drops.
• A laser removes the hazy posterior capsule from your line of sight without making an incision or "touching" the eye.
• Anti-inflammatory eye drops following the procedure.

The procedure takes about 30 minutes; with slight light sensitivity  occurring  post-operatively.
Following a YAG laser capsulotomy, you may resume normal activities. You may experience some floaters afterward. These will likely resolve within a few weeks.

Most people can expect their vision to improve within a day. As with any eye procedure, however, call your eye doctor immediately if vision worsens or fails to improve.