YAG Laser Treatment
Correcting posterior capsule opacification
YAG Laser Treatment
A YAG laser procedure is often used to treat posterior capsule opacification, which is a common side effect of cataract and lens replacement surgery.
For some patients, the capsule that holds the new intraocular lens in place can become cloudy. This is noticed by 10-20% of patients.
Symptoms can include reduced light in the eye, which results in reduced clarity, blurry vision, and glare.
YAG capsulotomy procedures take a few minutes, and the improvement in vision is almost instantaneous. It is a very safe procedure. You may notice a few floaters for the first few days after the procedure. These typically resolve
Yag Laser FAQ's
How do you treat PCO?
A specialist YAG laser is used to target and vaporise the problem tissue. This treatment is performed in Mr Darcy consulting room and is a pain free outpatient procedure. Your pupils will need to be dilated.
How long does the treatment take?
YAG treatment is quick and simple to perform. However, patients will need to refrain from driving while their pupils are dialted.
What are the risks of YAG capsulotomy
The risks of the procedure are thankfully very low. The laser is destructive, enabling it to create an opening in the capsule and clear the vision. If the intraocular lens is targeted, it can cause a pit. These are not usually visually significant. Pits are rare in experienced operators.
Some very rare complications include retinal detachment, macular holes, inflammation, and raised pressure temporarily in the eye.
Is there a risk of retinal detachment?
This is hotly debated with very contradictory evidence. If YAG capsulotomy increases the risk of retinal detachment, it is considered very rare. It is hypothesised to affect certain groups, such as those without a posterior vitreous detachment, people who are very short-sighted due to a longer eye length and possibly Males.