Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
A YAG laser capsulotomy is a special laser treatment to improve vision after cataract surgery.
During the cataract operation, the natural lens inside you eye which had become cloudy was removed. This lens has a cellophane-like outer membrane called the capsule; during surgery the posterior capsule of the natural lens is left in place to support the artificial lens implant.
The posterior capsule is normally clear, however 3 out of 4 people who have cataract surgery will eventually develop a cloudiness of this membrane. The cloudiness can develop months or years later and is a result of scarring (a normal healing response), giving similar vision symptoms to the original cataract.
YAG laser capsulotomy is the only way to treat this. Apart from affecting your vision, the thickening does not harm your eye.
What takes place during the procedure?
The procedure is an out-patient procedure carried out in the eye clinic. You will be given dilating eye drops and your vision will be blurred for 4 - 6 hours. It is advisable not to drive that day.
You will be sitting at a machine similar to that used during your examination in eye clinic, with your forehead resting against a headpiece and chin resting in a chin rest.
Some eye drops will be given to numb the surface of the eye prior to the laser treatment to prevent you from blinking, and a mirrored contact lens will be placed on the eye for focusing the laser beam.
The laser beam makes an opening in the cloudy membrane to let light pass through and aims to restore your vision to how it was after your cataract surgery.
Following the procedure, no special treatment is required, and you can go back to normal daily activities. If you have any discomfort, you can take your usual pain reliever. It is normal for the eye to feel gritty, itchy and mild discomfort for the rest of the day.
Possible complications
- The pressure inside the eye increases. This will make the eye become very painful and further treatment may be required.
- Occasionally the opening made by the laser beam is incomplete or not big enough and may need a further treatment.
- Very occasionally some patients can get a build-up of fluid in the macula, the part of the eye responsible for detailed central vision. This build-up of fluid is called macular oedema (swelling), which causes blurring or distorted vision.
- Another extremely rare complication is retinal detachment. This is when the light sensitive membrane at the back of the eye, the retina, comes away from the back of the eye. You may notice a black curtain affect to your vision, in any direction.
Please contact the staff in the Eye Treatment Centre if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Excessive pain
- Sudden onset of flashes and floaters
- Loss of vision, or part of the vision
- Increasing redness of the eye
| From 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday: | 0300 373 5884 |
| From 5pm to 9am and at weekends: | 0300 614 5000 and ask for the Eye Doctor on call |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Ophthalmology service.
About this information
Service:
Ophthalmology
Reference:
QQ/049
Approval date:
5 August 2024
Review date:
1 July 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.