Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is a common complication of cataract surgery and causes a similar clouding of vision. PCO is treated by a procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy.
During your cataract surgery, your natural lens was removed and replaced with an artificial lens housed in a capsule that contains live cells.
Some capsules can develop a layer of new cells (scarring) that form a frosting on the back surface of the lens. This is called posterior capsular opacification (PCO) or an after-cataract. It makes your vision cloudy once more. PCO can occur any time after your cataract surgery from a few weeks to many months later.
If you’ve developed PCO, you may find that:
PCO is treated with an outpatient procedure called YAG laser.
During this procedure, we:
Your vision will be blurry for a few hours after the treatment due to the bright light used but should improve over the coming days. Your eye may initially feel irritated or scratchy but that usually settles down within a few days too.
Most people are able to resume their normal activities on the day after their laser surgery.
All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Horizon Surgical Eye Centre can consult with you to confirm if this treatment is right for you.
