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Laser eye treatment (YAG capsulotomy)
Category: Eye Procedures & Tests · All eye procedures & tests
What it is
After cataract surgery, the thin membrane that holds the new lens can gradually cloud over and blur vision again (posterior capsule opacification). YAG laser capsulotomy makes a small opening in that cloudy membrane with a focused laser, restoring a clear path for light.
Why it is done
It is done when this membrane clouding — sometimes called an 'after-cataract' — reduces vision months or years after otherwise successful cataract surgery.
How to prepare
No fasting or anaesthetic is needed. Your vision in the treated eye will be blurred for a few hours by dilating drops, so arrange not to drive until it clears. Tell the team about other eye conditions such as glaucoma.
What happens during the procedure
You sit at a laser machine similar to an eye examination microscope, with a special contact lens sometimes placed on the numbed eye. The laser pulses create the opening; you may see flashes and hear clicks. It is painless and takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Afterwards — recovery & results
Most people notice clearer vision within a day or two. Floaters can be more noticeable for a while. You may be given drops for a few days and a follow-up check. Normal activities resume straight away once the dilation wears off.
Risks & considerations
Risks include a temporary rise in eye pressure (checked and treated), floaters, and rarely swelling of the retina or retinal detachment. Once done, the membrane does not cloud again in the same way, so it rarely needs repeating.
Watch: Laser eye treatment (YAG capsulotomy) videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Is the cataract coming back?
No — a cataract cannot regrow. It is the membrane behind the implant that has misted over, which is common and simple to treat with this laser.
Will I need it for the other eye too?
Only if that eye's membrane also clouds and affects vision. It happens independently in each eye.
Related procedures — Eye Procedures & Tests
Browse the L section of the A–Z list or return to the Procedures & Tests hub.