What is YAG Laser Capsulotomy Recovery Like?
Published on January 1, 2019
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States today, particularly as people age. 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. AYAG laser procedureis a common necessity for patients that have undergone cataract surgery in order to tweak results for an optimal outcome.
Who Needs a YAG Laser Procedure?
Some people who have cataract surgery develop a condition called PCO, short for Posterior Capsule Opacity. They may refer to this as a secondary cataract although this is technically not correct. In addition to mildly blurry or double vision, these patients may develop a mild to moderate problem with glare. This can occur immediately after cataract surgery or months or years later. Fortunately, theYAG laser procedureis a simple solution to these issues.
What to Expect During YAG Laser Procedure
YAG, which stands for yttrium aluminum garnet, is a crystal located within the laser used for the procedure. The procedure is simple and completed on an outpatient basis in just a few minutes. The first thing your surgeon does is use the laser to create an opening in your opacified capsule. This allows light rays from the laser to move freely towards the back of the affected eye to restore clear vision. You will receive eye drops at the beginning of the procedure to dilate your eyes. It does not involve any cutting and you feel no discomfort whatsoever.
YAG Laser Capsulotomy Recovery Expectations
Immediately after your laser procedure, your ophthalmologist will see how you are doing and then discuss expectations for YAG laser capsulotomy recovery. It is important to follow all instructions carefully to achieve the outcome that you desire. This includes using anti-inflammatory eye drops for up to several days after the procedure.
You may resume all normal activities right away after your YAG laser procedure. It is common for people who have had this procedure to see floaters in their field of vision for up to a few weeks. This normally resolves on its own, but please contact New Vision Eye Center if it does not. Although extremely rare, we also encourage you to call our office if you experience pain or other symptoms that you did not expect such as worsening vision.
You should notice significant vision improvement within one day of the procedure. This is a one-time procedure that you will not have to repeat. The reason for this is that the laser eliminates the centralized zone of the capsule located behind your intraocular lens that has created a cloudy posterior. That means the post-cataract surgery conditions of blurry vision, double vision, or problems with glare cannot return.
Contact New Vision Eye Center in Vero Beach
The YAG laser procedure is fast and simple. We encourage you to speak to your eye doctor about possible risk factors and whether you are in need of this procedure. New Vision Eye Center in Vero Beach, Florida, is happy to answer all your questions during a personal consultation. Please call us today at 772-257-8700 orreach out online.
