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Lens Replacement
YAG laser treatment

YAG laser capsulotomy

What is YAG laser? Refractive lens exchange gives excellent results, but in the months or years that follow treatment, approximately 5% of patients may notice that their vision is fading. This is a common side effect of refractive lens exchange and is caused by the thickening of the lens capsule in which the new lens sits. This thickening causes vision to become hazy, but can be easily treated.

The best way to do this is with YAG laser treatment, a surgical procedure which aims to return your vision to the level it reached after your initial refractive lens replacement procedure.

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On the day of treatment

A warm welcome

Your surgeon will greet you when you arrive at the clinic and they'll go through what to expect during the procedure with you.
Anaesthetic applied

Your eye will be anaesthetised, meaning you have no feeling of discomfort during your treatment.

During the treatment

The laser is applied

Your surgeon creates a small opening in your lens, using a YAG laser.
A clear view

The opening creates a clear path for your vision and returns it to the standard it was when you first had surgery.
Eye pressure checked

While the procedure itself takes around five minutes, your surgeon will examine your eyes again after 20 minutes. When the pressure in your eyes has returned to normal, you'll be able to return home.

After the treatment

Immediate results

YAG laser surgery results are almost immediate, though you may experience some blurring while your eye drops subside. Once you're home, it's best to rest and sleep. You'll find that your vision will be even better when you wake up.
Aftercare appointments

Your surgeon will advise when your next follow up appointment with your optometrist should take place.
Continued eye care

We invite our patients to aftercare appointments with their optometrist so we can check that all is well and we recommend that you arrange to have your eyes examined annually, so that your eye health continues to be monitored in the future.