YAG Laser Capsulotomy

When a cataract is removed a thin, clear membrane (the back capsule of the original lens) is left behind to support the lens implant. In a minority of people this membrane can become cloudy. This is known as Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) and can cause blurred vision or glare. A laser, which is a highly concentrated beam of light, can be used to make a small gap ("capsulotomy") in the centre of the membrane. The vision is often restored back to how it was immediately after the cataract operation.

Picture of right eye following a YAG laser capsulotomy.
The arrow points to the new opening in the cloudy capsule.

The laser treatment is performed as an out-patient and is usually straight forward. Drops are used to widen the pupil and anaesthetic drops numb the surface of the eye. A small magnifying lens is placed on the surface of the eye which keeps the eye open and still. The laser capsulotomy is painless and usually takes 5-10 minutes. Immediately after the laser the vision is often blurred for a few hours and the eye may be temporarily more sensitive to light. Anti-inflammatory drops are prescribed for one week and an improvement in vision should be noticed within a day or two.

Yag laser capsulotomy is regarded as a very low risk procedure but <1% of people may have a complication including increased floaters, a temporary rise in eye pressure, “pitting” of the lens implant, macular oedema (swelling of the retina) or a retinal tear/detachment which can occur years after the treatment.