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SAMPLEInformation for PatientsUndergoing YAG LaserCapsulotomyEye ClinicPatient Information LeafletPeople nceExcellence
SAMPLEWhy do you need YAG lasercapsulotomy treatment?The natural lens of the eye is surrounded by, andcontained within a transparent capsular bag.When performing cataract surgery, the Surgeoncarefully opens the front portion of the capsule inorder to remove the lens. After completely removingthe natural lens, a new artificial intraocular lens(a lens implanted in the eye) is positioned insidethe capsular bag. This clear capsule supports theintraocular lens implant. Following cataract surgery,the capsule may become thickened and can causeblurred, hazy vision.Benefits of YAG capsulotomyImproves clarity of vision, provided the rest of theeye is healthy.What is YAG laser capsulotomytreatment?The YAG laser machine can be used if your visionafter having a cataract surgery deteriorates. Itcan make an opening in the capsule (or bag) thatcontains your lens. This capsule has thickened, whichis reducing your vision. Opening the capsule allowslight into the eye, improving the clarity of the vision,as long as the rest of the eye is healthy.Page 2
SAMPLEWhere is YAG capsulotomy performed?In the Outpatients Department.Is YAG laser capsulotomy treatmentpainful?No. Laser treatment in the majority of patient’s isusually completely painless, but sometimes may be alittle uncomfortable. Should this be the case pleaseinform the Doctor or Nurse.How long does a YAG lasercapsulotomy treatment take?YAG capsulotomy is an outpatient procedure and cantake just minutes to perform, but you should allowup to 2 hours for your appointment.Can I drive following this treatment?No. This is because dilating eye drops may be usedto open up the pupil(s). Even if dilating eyedropsare not used, your vision will be a little blurred forminutes or hours after the treatment. It is thereforeadvisable not to drive and to make alternativearrangements.Page 3
SAMPLEDo I need to be accompanied for mytreatment?Not necessarily. However, if dilating drops are used,they can have a blurring effect on your vision, whichcan, in some cases, last up to 8 hours.What will happen during treatment?Present your appointment letter at the ClinicReception desk where you will be booked into theClinic.The Nurse will check your distance and near vision,so please bring your glasses with you. You may havedilating drops put into your eye(s), if requested bythe Doctor performing the treatment, to open upthe pupil(s), the black part of the eye, which cantake around 20 minutes to dilate the pupil fully.Either an experienced Eye Doctor or a superviseddoctor in training will carry out the YAG capsulotomyprocedure.You may have anaesthetic eye drops instilled (putinto your eye(s)) to allow the comfortable fittingof a special contact lens onto the front surface ofthe eye(s). This is to help to focus the laser beamonto the area to be treated. It also helps to keep theeyelid(s) open. This contact lens is removed at theend of the procedure. Once the lens is in place, youPage 4
SAMPLEwill see a bright light. This allows the Doctor to seethe internal structure of the eye.To carry out the YAG capsulotomy, you will be askedto place your chin on the frame of the laser machine,which has a chin rest and handles for you to holdon to. There will be a bright light shining into youreye(s) and you will hear a clicking noise, which is thenoise of the laser machine being fired.YOU WILL NOT FEEL ANY PAIN.The laser makes small holes in the capsule. Theseholes join up and this makes an opening in thecapsule.It is important that you keep your head and eyesstill during the laser treatment, unless instructedotherwise by the Doctor. Should you need to moveyour head, for whatever reason, please inform theDoctor before doing so.After the treatmentAfter the laser treatment, the eye will be temporarily‘blind’ or ‘dazzled’ caused by the bright light emittedfrom the laser machine. Your vision will graduallybegin to return, usually in a series of colours, over aperiod of 5-10 minutes but will remain blurred for4-6 hours until the dilating drops wear off, if theywere used.Page 5
SAMPLEFollow-up appointmentYou may be given a date and time to be followedup (before you leave) if requested by the Doctorperforming your treatment.Post YAG capsulotomy care/restrictionsThere are no physical restrictions followingtreatment.You may need anti-inflammatory eyedrops in youreye following treatment, if requested by the Doctor.You may be given a single dose, in the form of atablet after treatment to offset any rise in yourintraocular pressure(s) if requested by the Doctor.This will be fully explained to you by the Doctor ifthe need should arise.You may be given a prescription to take to your localChemist to obtain anti-inflammatory eye drops, tobe used for 1-2 weeks, if the Doctor feels they arenecessary.If you wish to see your Optician for an up-to-daterefraction (eye test) after having YAG capsulotomylaser treatment, you should wait for 2 weeks beforedoing so. This will give your eye time to settle fullybefore seeing the Optician.Page 6
SAMPLEBenefits of YAG capsulotomyThis procedure improves clarity of vision provided therest of eye is healthy.Possible risks of YAG capsulotomy laserPlease read the following risks carefully. Shouldany of these occur, we would recommend that youcontact your Optician/GP or present yourself to A&E.There your eye will be reviewed and you will bereferred back to the Ophthalmology Department ifnecessary.InflammationAny procedure carried out on the eye can causeinflammation. This inflammation is usually quitemild but you may be given a prescription for antiinflammatory eye drops if requested by the Doctorperforming your laser treatment.Elevated intraocular pressureIf a lot of laser power is required to perform theprocedure, this can cause a transient (temporary) risein intraocular pressure(s). The Doctor performingthe procedure will decide, after completion oftreatment, if it is necessary for you to be given eyedrops or tablets to offset this risk.Page 7
SAMPLELens pittingThis happens if the laser beam causes scratches onthe artificial lens implant whilst being focused on thethickened capsule. This is only a problem should thelens pitting occur directly on the visual axis (in theline of your vision).FloatersFor a few days or even weeks after the completionof the YAG capsulotomy laser treatment, you maybe aware of black cobwebs or spider-like floatersin the eye. They will, over time, become lessnoticeable usually within a few days or weeks afterthe treatment. These floaters are caused by the bitsof debris formed from the opening made in thecapsule.Cystoid Macular Oedema (CMO)This is a relatively rare complication. CMO is theaccumulation of fluid at the back of the eye (theretina) in the central area (the macula) due toleakage from capillaries. This in turn may cause adrop in central reading vision but can usually betreated should it occur.Page 8
SAMPLERetinal detachmentThis is a rare complication and more a risk in themyopic (shortsighted) eye. The symptoms of retinaldetachment are: Flashing lights Sudden increase in the amount of floaters thatpersists over time ‘Curtain’ coming down over the eye Blank patch in the field of vision.Other Complications that could occur Rarely the intraocular lens may move or becomedestabilised after the laser treatment. Sometimes a repeat treatment is required forenlargement of the opening.Page 9
SAMPLEPlease use the space below to write down anyquestions or concerns you may have. Bring this withyou when you attend your appointment and give itto the Doctor or Nurse, who will be happy to answeryour queries.Page 10
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SAMPLEUseful contact detailsEye ClinicTelephone: 01253 953851Hospital Switchboard: 01253 300000Patient Relations DepartmentThe Patient Relations Department offer impartial advice and deal withany concerns or complaints the Trust receives. You can contact themvia tel: 01253 955588 or by email: bfwh.patientrelations@nhs.netYou can also write to us at: Patient Relations Department, BlackpoolVictoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool FY3 8NRFurther information is available on our website: www.bfwh.nhs.ukReferencesDetails of the references used in writing this leaflet are available onrequest from: Procedural Document and Leaflet Coordinator01253 953397 or bfwh.trustpolicyteam@nhs.netOptions availableIf you’d like a large print, audio, Braille or a translatedversion of this leaflet then please call: 01253 955520Our Four Values:People CentredCompassionAuthor: Mr Shreyas RajApproved by: Ophthalmology Directorate meetingDate of Publication: 11/07/2018PositiveExcellenceReference No: PL/226 (v3.1)Review Date: 01/07/2021
eye(s) and you will hear a clicking noise, which is the noise of the laser machine being fired. YOU WILL NOT FEEL ANY PAIN. The laser makes small holes in the capsule. These . holes join up and this makes an opening in the capsule. It is important that you keep your head and
