YAG Capsulotomy

The laser is a high beam of light which is aimed at the precise areas of the eye, to treat various conditions.

The YAG is one particular type of laser.

In the majority of instances, it is a very quick and virtually painless procedure. 

The procedure is done as a outpatient appointment in our private rooms at Spiteri Eye Care.

Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) is a relatively common after Cataract surgery.

Sometimes a thickening develops at the back of the new artificial lens capsule.

This means light is less able to travel to the retina.

Which has caused sight to appear cloudy or blurred and also have issues with bright lights and glare.

Your vision will be checked, and your intraocular pressures measured.

Drops are instilled to dilate the pupil for YAG Capsulotomy, this may take a few minutes to work.

You will be seated in front of the laser, and local anaesthetic drops instilled to numb the surface of the eye. 

The practitioner will sit opposite you and will ask you to place your chin on the chin rest and they will explain the procedure.

The laser light is invisible but a bright light is used to see the capsule. 

Each laser shot lasts a fraction of a second and you will hear a loud clicking at the same time

The laser cuts a hole in the opaque membrane behind the implant and allows light to reach the retina, and restores the vision. 

Sometimes this is instantaneous, and other times can take a few days for vision to be fully restored. 

You may be given medication to take home with you afterwards and you will be instructed on their installation.

It may take some time for the procedure instilled eye drops to settle down, so we recommend you walk or have a driver to take you home.

YAG Capsulotomy

Benefits: 

Clears the opaque cloudy membrane allowing the vision to be restored and clear.

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 This procedure is considered very safe and there are but a few unlikely complications:

· Rise in eye pressure

· Inflammation inside the eye - this is uncommon, but drops can be given with a quick response

· Floaters, may see these as dots, circles, lines, clouds or cobwebs.

· Damage to the intraocular lens 

· Pain not relieved by normal painkillers

The vast majority of people get an excellent improvement in their vision following laser surgery without experiencing any issues.

Because the treatment does not require any incisions or stitches, you may return to your usual activities straight away. 

You will be given a post operative follow up appointment 4-8 week after your procedure to ensure that the eye has settled down.

You can drive again after a day post operatively, as long as you feel your vision is clear.