What Is a YAG Laser Capsulotomy?
Yag Capsulotomy, or Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Capsulotomy, is a painless laser procedure designed to improve the vision of patients who have had cataract surgery.
After cataract surgery, as many as half of the patients will notice their vision gets blurry again within five years. This is due to a condition known as a secondary cataract, where the small bag that holds the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. A YAG laser capsulotomy is a quick and painless in-office procedure that fixes this issue. Most health insurance plans might even pay for this procedure, and it’s the top method doctors use to clear up vision affected by secondary cataracts.
YAG Capsulotomy Post-Cataract Surgery
A YAG laser capsulotomy procedure aims to clear away the scar tissue that forms in the sac holding the intraocular lens. It’s typical to need this procedure since most people get this scarring, but it pops up a few months to years post-surgery.
Surgeons think that doing this too soon after the operation could bump up the chances of complications. However, it’s worth noting that the risk of retinal detachment is low. Plus, there’s this thing where insurance may not cover the procedure if you get it during the 90-day “global period.” That’s when one payment is supposed to cover all post-cataract surgery visits.
When Is the Right Time for a YAG Laser Capsulotomy Following Cataract Surgery?
Your eye doctor will examine your eye to decide the best time to perform a YAG laser capsulotomy. This happens between 4 and 12 weeks after your first cataract operation. The aim is to allow enough time for your eye to heal but to treat the cloudiness at the back of the lens capsule as soon as it appears.
What’s the Healing Process Like After a YAG Laser Capsulotomy?
You can take yourself to the clinic and back after your procedure. The laser makes a hole in the back of the capsule in just a couple of minutes. You might notice some small floating spots in your vision for a couple of days or even weeks following the procedure. But don’t worry, they’ll go away by themselves.
After a YAG laser capsulotomy, there are no restrictions on what you can do, and you can jump straight back into your everyday life with improved eyesight.
