What is posterior capsular opacification (PCO)?
When you have cataract surgery, an artificial lens implant is placed inside the lens capsule. Posterior capsular opacification is the formation of thin layer of scar tissue that develops behind the lens implant in a small proportion of patients after cataract surgery.
PCO can occur between 1-10 years after your cataract operation and is the most common cause of reduction in vision after successful cataract surgery
How can PCO be treated?
PCO can be very successfully treated by a procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy. The procedure is performed very commonly and is painless. You will require drops to dilate your pupils and anaesthetic eye drops before the procedure. YAG laser is performed to clear the cloudy film by making a small opening in the capsular bag. On average, the process takes 10 minutes. It is a safe and successful treatment and nearly never needs to be repeated.
After the procedure, you will typically be given steroid drops to put them in the eye for a few days.
