Can Cataracts Come Back?

We have discussed that, during cataract surgery, a clouded lens (cataract) is replaced with a clear artificial lens. Your eye’s natural lens and the replacement lens are held in place in a bag called a lens capsule. In some cases, scar tissue may form behind your lens implant, causing the capsule to become cloudy or wrinkled over time. This can result in blurry vision. It is referred to by medical professionals as posterior capsule opacification, but you may also hear it called PCO or “secondary cataract.”

If this occurs, it is not because anything went wrong with your cataract surgery. It is very common for this to occur some time after having cataract surgery.

Posterior capsule opacification is treated with a procedure called a posterior capsulotomy. This is a procedure that is performed with a YAG laser. You may also hear the procedure referred to as a YAG capsulotomy. It is a low risk, painless, and quick outpatient procedure that requires no sedation or fasting.

If you begin to experience cloudy vision after cataract surgery, do not panic! Reach out to us, and we will get back to the business of keeping your eyes healthy and your vision clear.