Many patients experience hazy, blurred eyesight in the weeks, months, or years following cataract surgery, a condition called posterior capsular haze. In a cataract procedure, the cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial lens. Posterior capsular haze occurs when the capsule in which the eye’s natural lens is held in place becomes cloudy after the procedure.

The capsule that holds the eye’s natural lens in place like a tiny insulating bag also serves to shield the back of the eye. In a cataract surgery, your doctor will remove your eye’s lens from the capsule and replace it with a synthetic lens, which is then repositioned securely. You may experience cloudiness in this capsule. We can help.

Symptoms of posterior capsular haze include:

• Blurred, hazy, or distorted vision
• Difficulty driving at night due to the glare of the street, sun, and car lights
• Vision problems affecting your daily habits

How Is Posterior Capsular Haze Treated?

Treatment for posterior capsular haze is simple and straightforward. A YAG laser is used to open the capsular bag into which the artificial lens was inserted. The procedure is pain free and involves no recovery or follow up medications, patches, or eye drops. In fact, from start to finish, the procedure should take no more than a few minutes. You won’t be able to touch your eye for about half an hour after the procedure so that no corneal abrasion is inflicted. The results of your YAG capsulotomy may be immediate or they may progress over the next few days. This is a one-time treatment, though we will ask you to come in for a follow-up appointment within a couple weeks of the procedure.