In about 10 to 50 percent of patients who have a cataract removed, the capsule becomes cloudy several months or years after the original surgery. Often this condition is referred to as a "secondary cataract." However, this does not mean that the patient has another cataract; it is only the capsule — not the artificial lens — that has become cloudy.
If this cloudiness blurs your vision, a clear opening can be painlessly made in the center of the posterior capsule membrane with a YAG laser. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis in about 15 minutes, without injections. This is the only instance in which a laser can be used for a cataract-related treatment.
