Laser Treatment after Cataract Surgery

Your vision may gradually blur after months or even years of successful cataract surgery. The lens capsule that is left behind to hold the lens implant in place can become thickened or cloudy.

A laser can be used to make a hole in the centre of the capsule and restore your sight this procedure is not painful and can be done in the outpatients department.

What is YAG Capsulotomy?

Laser treatment can be used to treat a number of eye conditions. A YAG (Yitrium Aliuminium Garnet) laser is a machine which gives out a highly concentrated beam of light.  Your Ophthalmologist can use a YAG laser to make a small opening in the capsule behind the artificial lens. 

This allows the light to enter the eye more readily and improve your vision.

What to expect in the clinic

The laser treatment is performed by the Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) in the outpatient department.

Your vision will be tested and drops are put into your eye and left for 20 - 30 minutes to enlarge the pupil. A contact lens may be needed to focus the laser in which case anaesthetic drops, which may sting a little, will be put into your eye first. The contact lens will stop you from blinking and the Ophthalmologist will tell you where to look.  

You will sit and rest your chin on an instrument similar to that used to examine the eye. A contact lens will be placed and you will see some bright flashes of light and hear a clicking sound. The procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. It is important that you keep your head still during the treatment to avoid damage to other parts of the eye. 

Immediately after laser treatment your eye may be pink and your vision will be very blurred because of the bright light shining into your eye and the eye drops used. Your sight should improve within a few minutes and will be slightly blurred for several hours. 

To find out more about this procedure please contact Boston West Hosptial on 01205 330 118 or use the links found on the right of the page.