When will my vision be normal again?

You can quickly return to many everyday activities, but your vision may be blurry. The operated eye needs time to heal. During the healing process the eye changes shape, and because of the cost of a new lens, it is best to wait at least six weeks before getting a new prescription for your glasses. Ask your doctor when you can resume driving.

If you just received an IOL, you may notice that colors are very bright or have a blue tinge. Also, if you've been in bright sunlight, everything may be reddish for a few hours. If you see these color tinges, it is because your lens is clear and no longer cloudy. Within a few months after receiving an IOL, these colors should go away.

What is a YAG Laser Capsulotomy?

The wrinkling or cloudiness which can develop months or years later is a result of scarring (a normal healing response) and can interfere with vision in ways similar to the original cataract. If the clouding of the posterior capsule interferes with your vision, your ophthalmologist may suggest opening the capsule to restore normal sight.

This is done with a procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy, whereby your doctor uses a laser beam to make a tiny hole in the posterior membrane to let light pass through and restore clear vision. Although the laser procedure requires close and precise focusing by the ophthalmologist, for the patient the technique is a painless, outpatient procedure and is never part of the original cataract operation.

There is a common misconception that cataracts are removed by a laser. This stems from the fact that 3 out of 4 people who have cataract surgery eventually need YAG laser surgery to remove the cloudy membrane which is often referred to as a secondary cataract.

A YAG laser capsulotomy is a surgical procedure, however, the risks of a serious complication resulting from this procedure are about 1/100th of the risks associated with a regular cataract operation. The most serious risk is of retinal detachment which at it's onset displays itself as a black curtain coming over the eye affecting the side vision from any direction. The occurrence of retinal detachment may also be associated with the appearance of flashing lights. If you experience either of these symptoms you should contact your eye doctor immediately.