Many patients enjoy clear vision after cataract surgery, but months or years later, notice that things look hazy again or that glasses are still needed for certain tasks. In both situations, laser surgery after cataract surgery may be an option. These treatments do not repeat cataract surgery. Instead, they fine-tune or restore the clarity achieved with the original procedure.
Treating “secondary cataracts” with YAG laser
The most common laser procedure after cataract surgery is YAG laser capsulotomy. Cataracts do not grow back, but the thin capsule that holds the artificial lens can become cloudy over time, a condition called posterior capsule opacification. Symptoms often resemble the original cataract: blurred vision, glare, or halos around lights.
During YAG laser after-cataract surgery, the eye is dilated and numbed with drops. While seated at a microscope, the doctor uses a focused laser to create a small opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through clearly again. The treatment usually takes only a few minutes, is painless, and vision often improves within a day.
Laser vision correction after cataract surgery
Some patients still have a small prescription after cataract surgery, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. In selected cases, corneal laser surgery after cataract surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, can refine the result. These procedures reshape the cornea, reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses. Surgeons typically wait several months to be sure the eye and prescription are stable before planning any laser enhancement.
Not every patient is a candidate for a laser procedure after cataract surgery. A comprehensive exam at Carolina Eyecare is the safest way to determine whether vision changes are due to capsule clouding, residual prescription, or another eye condition and to decide which option, if any, is appropriate.
