Understanding Posterior Capsule Opacification
This clouding is irreversible and progresses to cause
a steady decline in vision
in one of both eyes. Cataract surgery removes the opacified natural lens, or cataract, and replaces it with a clear artificial lens implant called an Intraocular Lens (IOL).
How soon can posterior capsule opacification occur?
Blurry vision caused by PCO can occur
weeks, months, or even years after you have cataract surgery
. How is posterior capsule opacification treated? Similar to an actual cataract, PCO cause vision loss over time. When cloudy vision begins to affect your daily activities, you may want to have surgery to correct it.
What are the symptoms of posterior capsule opacification?
Over time, the capsule can become clouded by various proteins within the eye. Posterior Capsule Opacification symptoms are very similar to cataract symptoms. These include:
blurring of vision, glare in daytime or when driving and difficulty seeing near objects that were clear after cataract surgery
.
How long does it take for vision to improve after YAG?
Within a day or two
after YAG laser capsulotomy, your vision will begin to improve. If after a few days your eyesight hasn’t gotten any better, or worsens, let your eye doctor know!
How do I know if I need YAG surgery?
If your vision loss from PCO is affecting your work and lifestyle, or if your vision is even worse than before your cataract surgery, you may be a candidate for this procedure. Other signs that you might need YAG laser capsulotomy include:
Glare caused by bright lights
.
Is posterior capsule opacification an emergency?
There are several urgent reasons to eradicate PCO. First, PCO remains the most common complication of cataract surgery. Posterior capsular opacification
is even more threatening in young adults and children
, with a higher incidence, quicker onset, and greater amblyogenic effect.
What can be done for posterior capsular opacification?
If your examination confirms that you have posterior capsular opacification,
laser surgery
may be recommended. This procedure uses a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser to open a window in the lens capsule to restore clear vision. Posterior capsulotomy is a painless outpatient procedure that takes less than 15 minutes.
Why does posterior capsule opacification occur?
PCO occurs because
cells remaining after cataract surgery grow over the back (posterior) of the capsule causing it to thicken and become slightly opaque (cloudy)
. This means that light is less able to travel through to the retina at the back of your eye.
Is posterior capsule opacification covered by insurance?
Side effects after the treatment include the presence of floaters which typically resolve after several days. YAG laser treatments
are covered as a medical necessity under all insurance plans
, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Can posterior capsular opacification happen more than once?
Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is common after
cataract surgery
. Recurrence is very rare after a successful Yttrium aluminium-garnet (YAG) capsulotomy in adults.
Why is my vision still blurry after YAG surgery?
Your vision will return during the first 5 – 10 minutes after the Yag is done, though blurry vision after Yag laser capsulotomy may continue for about 4 -6 hours as a result of the dilating drops. Most people can expect the blurry vision after Yag laser capsulotomy
to improve within a day
.
What are the risks of YAG laser capsulotomy?
- 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).
How long does it take to recover from YAG surgery?
It will take
1 or 2 days
to see as clearly as possible. You will not have pain. You should be able to return to work or your normal routine the day after surgery. It is common to see spots or floaters for a few weeks after surgery.
Can you have YAG surgery more than once?
Which begs the question: is it possible to have laser eye surgery more than once? In short, the answer
is yes
, but it’s not quite that simple. Each case is unique and when dealing with something as important as eyesight, maximum care must be taken to ensure that patients are suitable for treatment.
Why is YAG surgery needed?
The procedure
helps to permanently improve vision by replacing the natural lens of the eye with
an artificial lens that requires no upkeep or care as glasses do. A YAG laser procedure is a common necessity for patients that have undergone cataract surgery in order to tweak results for an optimal outcome.
How safe is YAG laser surgery?
YAG laser capsulotomy is
a very safe procedure
and complications are very, very rare. Potential pitfalls of the procedure include inadvertent damage to the patient’s lens replacement (intraocular lens) or retina, but these are very rare.
