Type of Surgery
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Last updated: 02/17/2009
The alternative to laser capsulotomy is surgical capsulotomy of the PCO and the adjacent anterior vitreous. There is an increased risk of retinal detachment when this invasive intraocular surgery is employed. The other alternative is to leave the PCO...
in place. This leaves the patient with permanent decreased visual acuity.
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Laser posterior capsulotomy, or YAG laser capsulotomy, is a noninvasive procedure performed on the eye to remove the opacification (cloudiness) that develops on the posterior capsule of the lens of the eye after extraction of a cataract. This differs from the anterior capsulotomy that the surgeon makes during cataract extraction to remove a cataract and implant an intraocular lens (IOL). Laser posterior capsulotomy is performed with Nd:YAG laser, which uses a wavelength to disrupt the opacification on the posterior lens capsule. The energy emitted from the laser forms a hole in the lens capsule, removing a central area of the opacification. This posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is also referred to as a secondary cataract.
From http://www.answers.com/topic/laser-posterior-capsulotomy
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Surgeons aim for results of 20/20 or better so that you can perform most daily activities without your glasses. However, there is a possibility that after surgery, you may need to wear reading glasses or corrective lenses for at least some activities.
-Eye Surgery Education Council
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