Posterior capsule opacification (PCO):
After having cataract surgery, it is not uncommon for patients to experience the gradual clouding and blurring of their vision that makes it seem their cataracts have returned. Be assured that your cataracts have not returned!
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that blocks light from reaching the retina at the back of the eye, resulting in blurry/cloudy vision. The cataract is surrounded by a thin capsular membrane, part of the front (anterior) side is removed during cataract surgery. It is fairly common that the cells remaining after cataract surgery grow over the back (posterior) side of the capsule, causing it to thicken and become cloudy.
PCO is very common, occurring as early as one to two years after cataract surgery. If you had cataract surgery in both eyes, it is possible to have PCO in both eyes, although they may occur at different times. The younger you are when you have cataract surgery, the more likely PCO will occur.
YAG laser capsulotomy, utilizing our Nidek YAG laser, creates a small opening in the opacified capsule. This allows images from the outside world to once again clearly pass through the eye to the retina. It is quick, painless, and typically much safer than the cataract surgery itself. Patients often notice an improvement in their vision after just 1 or 2 days. A temporary increase in floaters is normal after the procedure. There are no restrictions or healing period following the laser. We typically prescribe an anti-inflammatory eye drop for just a few days to help limit any irritation the laser might have caused.
There is a very rare risk of retinal damage so your doctor will follow up about one to two weeks after the procedure. Once a cloudy lens capsule is opened by the laser, the condition typically cannot recur, and the restored vision can be considered permanent.