Posterior Capsulotomy (Yag Laser)

Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular implant. During cataract surgery the fine skin (posterior capsule) of the lens is left in place to support the intraocular lens implant. In many cases, through a normal process of cell regeneration this capsule may turn cloudy. This blurry, cloudy vision may occur months or even years after cataract surgery.

The cloudy capsule interferes with good vision in a similar way a cloudy cataract lens blocks good vision. Hoy Eye Center has acquired a YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) Laser to quickly and painlessly restore vision that has been blurred by the development of this “secondary” cataract.

The YAG laser produces infrared impulses that create tiny openings in the targeted tissue through photodistribution. These short bursts of energy are used to treat secondary cataracts and the iris, and some retinal problems in the back of the eye.

The procedure is used to clear cloudy vision caused by secondary cataracts is called a posterior capsulotomy or laser posterior capsulotomy. YAG laser treatment offers the patient many benefits over traditional surgical procedures including:

• Virtually pain-free treatment
• No risk of infection
• Performed as an outpatient procedure
• Only takes a few minutes resulting in cost reduction
• Faster healing, with less trauma to the eye

All YAG laser posterior capsulotomy surgery is performed at Hoy Eye Center, by Dr. David Hoy, Ophthalmologist.