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A YAG laser capsulotomy is a simple laser procedure that is done to clear up cloudy vision after cataract surgery. It is a very common, quick, and painless treatment that is performed in an eye doctor's office. The goal is to restore the clear vision you had right after your original surgery.
read more about YAG laser capsulotomy ...During cataract surgery, your cloudy natural lens is removed, but the thin, clear membrane that held it, called the lens capsule, is left in place to hold the new artificial lens. In many people, this capsule can become cloudy over time. This is called posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It can make your vision blurry, hazy, or cause glare, similar to the original cataract.
The procedure is very simple and takes only a few minutes. Your eye will be numbed with drops. You will sit at a machine and rest your chin on it, just like during a normal eye exam. The doctor uses a special YAG laser to make a tiny, clear opening in the center of the cloudy capsule. This allows light to pass directly through to the retina again, clearing up your vision.
There is no pain during or after the procedure. Your vision may be blurry for a few hours because of the eye drops used. It is common to see some new, small floaters in your vision for a little while, but they usually fade away. Your doctor may give you anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for a few days, but you can typically return to your normal activities right away.
While YAG laser capsulotomy is considered very safe, it is not completely risk-free. The laser energy creates a small shockwave to break the capsule. This shockwave can disturb the vitreous gel, leading to a temporary increase in floaters. In rare cases (less than 1%), the disturbance can pull on the retina and cause a retinal detachment. This is why doctors will check your eyes thoroughly a week or two after the procedure to ensure the retina remains healthy.
No, it is completely painless. You may hear a few clicking sounds from the laser, but you will not feel anything in your eye.
No. A cataract cannot grow back once it has been removed. This procedure is to clear up the natural capsule that holds your new lens implant, not the lens implant itself.
Most people notice that their vision is much clearer within a day or two after the laser treatment.
You should talk to your eye doctor if you have had cataract surgery in the past and you feel like your vision is getting cloudy again. Your doctor can easily see if the capsule is cloudy during an eye exam. They can then let you know if a YAG laser capsulotomy is the right choice to make your vision clear again.
1. What Is a Posterior Capsulotomy? American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/what-is-posterior-capsulotomy. January 13, 2026.
2. Types of Cataract. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts/types-cataract. August 6, 2025.
3. YAG Laser Capsulotomy (Posterior Capsulotomy): Procedure. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/yag-laser-capsulotomy-posterior-capsulotomy. August 28, 2024.
4. Cataract Surgery. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/about/pac-20384765. September 9, 2023.
5. What Is YAG Capsulotomy? Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://johnshopkinsbmcib.staywellsolutionsonline.com/RelatedItems/3,83463. Accessed March 31, 2026.