Surgery Overview
The most common complication of cataract surgery is clouding of the
part of the lens covering (capsule) that remains after surgery, called
posterior capsule opacification. If the cloudiness affects your vision, you may
choose to have a laser surgery called Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy to correct
this problem.
The doctor will apply topical anesthetic (eyedrops) so that you won't feel pain. Then he or she will use a laser (Nd:YAG laser) to cut a hole in the
clouded back lining of the lens capsule. This allows light to pass through the
membrane to the retina at the back of the eye.
What To Expect After Surgery
Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is
an outpatient procedure.
The person may wait in the outpatient surgery area or the doctor's office for 1
to 2 hours after the procedure so that he or she can have the pressure in the
eye (intraocular pressure) checked. Intraocular pressure (IOP) is the pressure
caused by the fluid inside the eye that helps keep the shape of the
eye. You should not feel pain after the surgery.
Why It Is Done
After cataract surgery, some people notice cloudiness (sometimes called aftercataract) after several months or years. In some people, it can
become very dense and cause as much or more vision loss as the original
cataract.
The decision to have this procedure is based on the
same criteria as the decision to have the original cataract surgery:
- Vision problems are affecting your work or
lifestyle.
- Glare caused by bright lights is a
problem.
- You cannot pass a vision test required for a driver's
license.
- You have double vision.
- The difference in
vision between your two eyes is significant.
- You have another
vision-threatening eye disease.
The procedure is not needed unless vision loss caused by
clouding of the lens capsule is seriously affecting the person's vision and
lifestyle.
How Well It Works
Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy
reduces glare and improves vision. It lets light pass through cloudy
regions of the lens capsule that may develop after cataract surgery.
Risks
The most common complication of Nd:YAG laser
posterior capsulotomy is short-term increased pressure inside the eye. You may need to use eyedrops to lower the eye pressure.
Other risks include:
- Detachment of the nerve layer at the back of
the eye (retinal detachment).
- Swelling of the center of the retina
(macular edema).
- Damage or displacement of the intraocular
lens.
- Bleeding into the front of the eye.
- Swelling of
the clear covering of the eye (corneal edema).
What To Think About
It is common to have a new floater in the eye after this surgery.
Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy
is not used to prevent clouding of the back lining of the lens capsule
(posterior capsule opacification). There is no way to know who will get
clouding in the back of the eye after cataract surgery. Certain lenses used in
the surgery to remove the cataract may lower this risk and the need for laser
surgery later.
As with cataract surgery, it is important to weigh
the risks and possible benefits of laser capsulotomy before deciding to have
the surgery.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerKathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerCarol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology
Current as ofMarch 3, 2017