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What is Secondary Cataract After Cataract Surgery?
A condition commonly referred to as a “secondary cataract” may develop after cataract surgery. After the cataract is removed, an artificial lens is placed inside the eye. This lens is positioned within the capsule that once held the natural lens. Over time, this capsule can lose its transparency and become cloudy, a condition known as “capsule opacification.” This is what is commonly known as a “secondary cataract.”
Treatment for Secondary Cataract
Treating a secondary cataract does not require surgery. Approximately 30% of patients experience clouding in the capsule that holds the artificial lens within 1-2 years after cataract surgery. This cloudiness can be treated with a procedure called YAG Laser, which is performed in a clinical setting.
How Long Does the YAG Laser Procedure Take?
The YAG Laser procedure to clear the cloudiness that develops after cataract surgery is very quick, typically taking only 1-2 minutes. During the procedure, the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort.
This procedure is performed in an outpatient setting and does not require an operating room. The YAG Laser beams break up and remove the cloudy membrane behind the pupil. This procedure must be performed by a specialist ophthalmologist.
When Will Vision Improve After YAG Laser?
Vision usually returns to normal within 1 day after the YAG Laser procedure. It is common to experience temporary floaters in the eye following the procedure, which are caused by the membrane that has been broken up by the laser. These floaters will disappear over time.