Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed every day, and fortunately, the results are typically very good. A small complication that can arise is a secondary cataract or posterior capsule opacification. YAG laser capsulotomy is used to treat this secondary cataract.

What is a Secondary Cataract?

Following cataract surgery, the artificial intraocular lens which was placed in the eye may develop a layer of fibrotic tissue on the back of the lens.

This fibrotic tissue comes from the remnants of the lens capsule which was left to hold the artificial intraocular lens. The term used to describe this finding is a posterior capsule opacification.

This fibrosis can result in blurry vision, glare, and halos around lights.

As these symptoms are very similar to the symptoms experienced with cataracts, the term “secondary cataract” is often used.

While the term secondary cataract implies that a posterior capsule opacification is actually a cataract, it is an entirely different condition and requires different treatment as such.

What are the Treatments for Posterior Capsule Opacification?

There are a variety of treatments available for posterior capsule opacification including monitoring, traditional surgical removal, or laser surgical removal.

If the secondary cataract or posterior capsule opacification is not affecting vision or causing any symptoms, there may be no treatment needed and the condition can be monitored regularly with an eye exam.

However, if the condition is affecting vision and the activities of daily living, surgical removal may be needed.

This surgery can include a traditional surgery which has local anesthesia and allows the surgeon to scrape the back of the eye free of the opacification.

Another option is a laser procedure to remove the fibrotic tissue from the back of the eye.

What is a YAG Capsulotomy?

The laser used to remove the posterior capsule opacification is termed a YAG laser. YAG stands for yttrium aluminum garnet which are the chemical components which make the laser.

The YAG laser is a green laser that is altered to be outside the visible light spectrum.

The laser is used to blast holes through the fibrotic tissue in a cross shaped pattern. These holes then pull apart and leave a circle of clarity through the back of the lens.

The YAG laser is specifically designed to only impact the target fibrotic tissue and will not harm the cornea or the intraocular lens.

What is the Procedure of a YAG Capsulotomy?

The process of having a laser YAG capsulotomy is a very simple, in office procedure.

The YAG laser is mounted into a biomicroscope and can be performed with a patient awake and seated in an exam chair.

Some eye doctors will use a special lens to stabilize the eye and provide magnification during the YAG procedure.

Most instances of YAG surgery will only require a single office visit and will take roughly one half an hour to an hour to complete the exam and procedure.

Before and after the procedure, an eye drop to lower intraocular pressure will be instilled in the eye.

How to Know if You Need a YAG Capsulotomy?

If your vision has decreased since having cataract surgery, it is possible that you could benefit from a YAG laser capsulotomy procedure.

You should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to have your eyes evaluated to determine if you are a candidate for a YAG procedure.

Our eye doctor at Local Eyes Optometry in New Braunfels, TX excels in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at (830) 627-9272 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to us to evaluate you for a secondary cataract or if a yag capsulotomy may help your vision. Our eye doctor, Dr. Marcus Page, provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in New Braunfels, Texas.