Coastal Eye Care Surgery Center
Coastal Eye Care Eye Education Center
YAG Laser Capsulotomoy
The technique of advanced cataract surgery performed by the surgeons at Coastal Eye Care involves removing the cloudy interior contents of the Crystalline Lens while leaving the clear outer membrane-known as the “capsule”-in place, so that it can hold the intraocular lens implant (IOL) in the proper position.
The lens capsule is actually a structure comprised of living cells, which are responsible for producing lens fibers. Occasionally, even after cataract surgery it may continue to produce fibers that create tiny “beads” or “pearls” on the capsule, which can form a “secondary membrane”. If the secondary membrane obstructs the pupil it may cause a blurring of your vision similar to what was experienced as a result of your cataract. This phenomenon can occur in approximately 20-40% of patients after cataract surgery and can appear at any time after cataract surgery, from as little as a few weeks to as long as five or more years after the initial cataract removal.
Fortunately, even in instances where the blurred vision caused by the secondary membrane is visually significant, there is an outpatient, highly effective type of laser treatment to clear away the secondary membrane. This type of laser treatment is called a YAG Laser Capsulotomy. Should you need a YAG Laser Capsulotomy, we are able to provide this right in the comfort and convenience of our facility at Coastal Eye Surgery Center. It is important to understand that with a YAG Laser Capsulotomy, there is absolutely no pain involved in this procedure and patients can resume their normal activities immediately.
AFTER YAG CAPSULOTOMY YOU WILL NOTICE AN ALMOST IMMEDIATE AND DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT YOUR VISION
In general, YAG Laser Capsulotomy:
- Is completely painless
- Does NOT require preoperative tests
- Is performed at Coastal Eye Surgery Center and does not require an operating room
- Takes less than 5 minutes
- Does NOT have any postoperative restrictions
YAG Laser Capsulotomy can rarely have two significant complications:
- If you have had a YAG Laser Capsulotomy, especially if you were moderately or severely nearsighted before your cataract surgery, you may have a slightly higher risk of developing a retinal detachment in the future.
- VERY rarely, your intraocular lens implant (IOL) may dislocate through the opening created in the capsule, which will require surgery to reposition it properly.
Coastal Eye Care provides Cataract Evaluations, Cataract Surgery , Lens Implants and YAG Laser Capsulotomy and is conveniently located for Eastern Maine and Downeast Maine eye care patients.
Click Here to view our YAG Capsulotomy Information Sheet
