YAG laser treatment

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What is YAG laser treatment?

We use YAG laser as a method of treating cloudiness after cataract surgery and some cases of glaucoma. These procedures are known as YAG laser capsulotomy (for cataracts) and YAG peripheral iridotomy (for glaucoma).

What is YAG laser capsulotomy?

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens caused by cataracts and replacing it with an artificial one to improve your vision. The lens sits on a membrane known as the lens capsule. Sometimes, people can develop haze in this lens capsule after their surgery which can make it difficult to see. It might feel like your cataract is coming back or that you’re looking through frosty glass. This is quite a common complication known as posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and can be treated with this quick procedure.

YAG laser capsulotomy involves using a laser to create a tiny opening in the middle of the cloudy capsule behind the lens implant. This helps light to pass through to the retina at the back of your eye, which restores your clear vision.

Learn more about YAG laser capsulotomy treatment with Usman Hussain, consultant ophthalmologist and partner at Newmedica Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.

What are the benefits of YAG laser capsulotomy?

The most obvious benefit of having YAG laser capsulotomy is that it will make your vision clearer again. Plus, you won’t ever need to have this procedure again as one treatment is usually all it takes to get back to enjoying your normal vision.

How do I get referred?

Find out how

What happens during YAG laser capsulotomy?

Before

You’ll be in the clinic for around an hour on the day of your procedure. Before that, one of the team will measure your eyesight and add some dilating eye drops. Then your consultant will run through some checks and talk you through everything you need to know.

During

Your consultant will ask you to get comfortable in a chair and they might put a contact lens on your eye, which helps to focus the laser beam. They’ll ask you to rest your chin in front of the laser machine (known as a slit lamp) to help keep your head still.

You won’t feel any pain during this procedure, and it should only take about five minutes.

After

The eye drops we use before your procedure temporarily dilate your pupils, which can make your vision quite blurry and sensitive to light – so it’s best to get someone to take you home afterwards, as you won’t be able to drive straight away. But once you’re all done, you’re free to go home.

A lot of people notice an improvement in their vision as early as the next day, but that can depend on how cloudy your vision was beforehand.

What is the recovery process after YAG laser capsulotomy?

It usually takes a couple of days to fully notice an improvement and recover from the procedure. Your consultant might prescribe you some eye drops to use for a few days after your treatment. A member of the team will explain everything you need to know about how and when to use them.

What are the possible complications?

Complications from this type of treatment are very uncommon, but the chances of any problems developing tends to depend on the overall health of your eye, as well as other factors like your general health. Your consultant will explain any potential issues in greater detail before your treatment.

What is YAG laser peripheral iridotomy?

Laser peripheral iridotomy is used to treat or prevent a specific type of glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma. This type of glaucoma can cause a sudden build-up of pressure in the eye which could affect your sight.

With this treatment, your consultant uses a laser to create a tiny opening in the outer part of iris (the coloured part of the eye) to allow the fluid to move more freely within the eye – lowering the pressure and helping to protect your eyesight. Our trained optometrists may also carry out this type of laser and it’s very safe.

Who might need YAG laser peripheral iridotomy?

Acute angle-closure glaucoma develops when the fluid inside your eye can’t drain properly or gets blocked on its way out, causing the pressure inside the eye to rapidly rise. So if you have this type of glaucoma, or are at risk of it, your consultant will recommend this treatment as soon as possible to prevent any permanent changes to your vision.

What are the benefits of YAG laser peripheral iridotomy?

The overall benefit of YAG laser peripheral iridotomy is to protect your eyes from any risk of high pressure and lasting changes to your eyesight.

What happens during YAG laser peripheral iridotomy?

Before

The procedure only takes about 15 minutes to treat both eyes, but you’ll be in the clinic for just over an hour so we can carry out all the necessary checks.

Before your treatment, your consultant will talk you through what’ll happen in the procedure to make sure you’re completely happy. A few minutes before the procedure, you’ll have some anaesthetic eye drops put in to gently numb the surface of your eye, so you won’t feel a thing.

During

Your consultant will ask you to get comfortable in a chair and will put a contact lens on your eye which just helps to focus the laser beam. They’ll ask you to rest your chin in front of the machine to help keep your eye nice and still.

After

After the procedure is all done, your consultant might add some more eye drops onto your eye and they’ll check your eye pressure again about an hour after treatment. They might prescribe you some medication for a few days after to prevent any inflammation and a rise in pressure in the treated eye. We’ll talk you through everything before you leave us, then you’ll be free to go home.

You might notice that your vision is affected slightly to begin with, but you shouldn’t have any discomfort. Because your vision might be blurry, it’s best to arrange for someone to take you home, but you’ll be able to drive again once your vison has returned to normal.

What is the recovery process after YAG laser peripheral iridotomy?

There isn’t really a recovery period with this type of treatment – you’ll be able to carry on with all your normal activities straight away (except driving if your vision is still blurred).

What are the possible complications?

Complications are uncommon, but there is a risk of a rise in pressure and inflammation in the eye just after treatment. That’s why your consultant might want to check your eye pressure again before you go home. They’ll go through all of this with you in detail to make sure you’re comfortable before you go ahead with the treatment.

How do I get referred?

Your optician or GP will discuss the various treatment options available to you and where you can choose to have your treatment. You’ll be able to take the time to decide where you’d like to be treated, and your GP or optician will make the arrangements for your referral to Newmedica.

If you’d prefer to go the private route, you can get in touch with us directly. If you have private medical insurance, they might want some more information before you make your claim. You can find all the details on our private referral page.

Find your nearest clinic

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Barlborough

Unit 1B and 1C Midland Place, Barlborough Links, Chesterfield, S43 4FR

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Birmingham

Aqueous One, Aston Cross Business Village, Rocky Lane, Birmingham, B6 5RQ

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Brigg

Riverside Surgery, Barnard Avenue, Brigg, DN20 8AS

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Bristol - Aztec West

Building 720, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4UD

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Gloucester Aspen

Aspen Medical Centre, Horton Road, Gloucester, GL1 3PX

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Gloucester Brighouse

19D Brighouse Court, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3RT

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Grimsby

Cromwell Primary Care Centre, 1st Floor, Cromwell Road, Grimsby, DN31 2BH

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Hampshire

St Andrew's House, 4400 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Whiteley, PO15 7FJ

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Ipswich

London House, Hadleigh Road, Ipswich, IP2 0EE

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Langford

Mendip Vale Medical Centre, Pudding Pie Lane, Langford, BS40 5EL

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Leeds

St Martins House, 210 Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4HZ

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Leicester

Grove Park, 1 Barton Close, Leicester, LE19 1SJ

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Middlesbrough

29-30 Market Place, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, TS3 6HR

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Newcastle

Hadrian House, Balliol Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 8EW

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Northampton

Unit 2 Westbury Court, Anglia Way, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6JA

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Norwich

Lakeside 200, Old Chapel Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0WG

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Nottingham

Tottle Road, Riverside Business Park, Nottingham, NG2 1RT

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Oxfordshire

Avalon House, Marcham Road, Abingdon, OX14 1TZ

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Plymouth

Forder House, 20 William Prance Road, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 5WR

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Shrewsbury

Unit 2, Anchorage Ave., Shrewsbury Bus. Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6FG

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Swindon

Swindon NHS Health Centre, 1 Islington Street, Swindon, SN1 2DQv

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Wakefield

106 Barnsley Road, Wakefield, WF1 5NX

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Worcester

Unit 5, Berkeley Business Park, Wainwright Road, Worcester, WR4 9FA

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Worksop

The Dukeries, 31-33 Retford Road, Worksop, S80 2PU

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Getting referred to Newmedica

If you think you have an eye condition, you should see your optician or GP for a detailed assessment. They’ll go through all the options available and tell you where you can have your treatment.

The referral process will differ slightly depending on whether you want to be an NHS or private patient. You’ll find all the information you need on our NHS and private patient pages.

Are you a health care professional?
Find out how to refer a patient.

NHS patients

Learn more about our NHS services
and how you can be referred.

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Private patients

Find details about our private
options and how to get started.

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Self-referring? Call 0800 4096 792

Patient stories

I felt very safe when I was there. There were no fears about COVID. It’s all very professional and well organised. I can’t praise them enough.

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It’s made a big difference to my life and I couldn’t believe how quick it all was. The change is amazing and I now drive without glasses.

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