Subspecialties

  • Cataract/Anterior Segment
  • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
  • Cornea/External Disease
  • Glaucoma
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus

 

  • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
  • Oculoplastics/Orbit
  • Refractive Management/Intervention
  • Retina/Vitreous
  • Uveitis

Focus On

  • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
  • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
  • Laser Surgery Education Center
  • Redmond Ethics Center
  • Global Ophthalmology Guide

Academy Publications

  • EyeNet
  • Ophthalmology
  • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
  • Ophthalmology Retina

Information for:

  • International Ophthalmologists
  • Media
  • Medical Students
  • Patients and Public
  • Technicians and Nurses
  • Senior Ophthalmologists
  • Young Ophthalmologists

Tools and Services

  • EyeCare America
  • Help
  • IRIS Registry
  • Medicare Physician Payment
  • Meetings and Deadlines
  • Museum of Vision
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

Our Sites

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

Subspecialties

  • Cataract/Anterior Segment
  • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
  • Cornea/External Disease
  • Glaucoma
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
  • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
  • Oculoplastics/Orbit
  • Refractive Management/Intervention
  • Retina/Vitreous
  • Uveitis

Focus On

  • Glaucoma Education Center
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
  • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
  • Laser Surgery Education Center
  • Redmond Ethics Center
  • Global Ophthalmology Guide

Find an Ophthalmologist

Advanced Search
  • Annual Meeting
  • Clinical Education
  • Practice Management
  • Member Services
  • Advocacy
  • Foundation
  • About
  • Subspecialties & More
  • Eye Health
  • Home
  • Annual Meeting
  • Clinical Education
  • Practice Management
  • Member Services
  • Advocacy
  • Foundation
  • About
  • Subspecialties & More

    Academy Publications

    • EyeNet
    • Ophthalmology
    • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
    • Ophthalmology Retina

    Information for:

    • International Ophthalmologists
    • Media
    • Medical Students
    • Patients and Public
    • Technicians and Nurses
    • Senior Ophthalmologists
    • Young Ophthalmologists

    Tools and Services

    • EyeCare America
    • Help
    • IRIS Registry
    • Medicare Physician Payment
    • Meetings and Deadlines
    • Museum of Vision
    • Ophthalmology Job Center

    Our Sites

    • EyeWiki
    • International Society of Refractive Surgery

    Subspecialties

    • Cataract/Anterior Segment
    • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    • Cornea/External Disease
    • Glaucoma
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
    • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
    • Oculoplastics/Orbit
    • Refractive Management/Intervention
    • Retina/Vitreous
    • Uveitis

    Focus On

    • Glaucoma Education Center
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
    • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
    • Laser Surgery Education Center
    • Redmond Ethics Center
    • Global Ophthalmology Guide

    Find an Ophthalmologist

    Advanced Search

    Subspecialties

    • Cataract/Anterior Segment
    • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
    • Cornea/External Disease
    • Glaucoma
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus

     

    • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
    • Oculoplastics/Orbit
    • Refractive Management/Intervention
    • Retina/Vitreous
    • Uveitis

    Focus On

    • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
    • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
    • Laser Surgery Education Center
    • Redmond Ethics Center
    • Global Ophthalmology Guide
  • Eye Health
Find an Ophthalmologist
Academy Store
  • Eye Health A-Z
  • Symptoms
  • Glasses & Contacts
  • Tips & Prevention
  • News
  • Ask an Ophthalmologist
  • Patient Stories
  • Español
    • Eye Health /
    • Eye Health A-Z
  • An illustration of a laser beam opens the hazy capsule behind the intraocular lens.

    What Is a Posterior Capsulotomy?

    Leer en Español:
    ¿Qué es la capsulotomía posterior?
    Written By: Kierstan Boyd
    Reviewed By: Elena M Jimenez MD
    Dec. 15, 2017

    Posterior capsulotomy is laser surgery you might need sometime after cataract surgery. It helps you see clearly if your vision becomes cloudy again.

    When you have cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist removes your eye’s cloudy lens. They replace it with a clear, artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL is held in place in the eye’s natural lens capsule. Weeks, months or years later, this capsule can become cloudy or wrinkled, causing blurry vision. This is called a posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It’s also sometimes called a “secondary cataract” or “scar tissue.” With posterior capsulotomy, a laser is used to make an opening in the cloudy capsule. This allows light to pass through again for clear vision.

    What Happens During Posterior Capsulotomy?

    The procedure is done in your ophthalmologist’s office. It only takes about 5 minutes. Here is what will happen:

    • Your eye will be numbed with eye drops.
    • Your ophthalmologist will point a special laser at the back of the lens capsule and make a small opening.
    • After the procedure, usually you can do all your normal daily activities, including driving. Your ophthalmologist will tell you if there are things you should not do right after surgery.
    • You may need to use eye-drop medicine for one week after the surgery. Your ophthalmologist will let you know if this is necessary.
    • If you have no other eye problems affecting your vision, your sight should improve in about 24 hours.

    What Are the Risks of Posterior Capsulotomy?

    As with any surgery, there are possible risks and complications with posterior capsulotomy. Here are some of them:

      • You may have a detached retina (where the tissue lifts from the back of your eye). You may see what looks like a gray curtain moving across your field of vision. You might also see a lot of floaters.
      • The pressure in your eye may increase.
      • The IOL might move through the posterior capsule opening.
      • You may have swelling in your eye, and you may need steroid eye drops.

  • Related

    How to Put in Eye Drops
    Sep 28, 2018
    If I’m allergic to acrylic nail products could I also have a reaction to an acrylic IOL?
    Apr 24, 2018
    Can my mother-in-law have cataract surgery while being treated for cancer?
    Jan 19, 2018
    Would an intraocular lens or a corneal inlay work better to treat presbyopia?
    Jan 18, 2018
    Does it make sense to have both IOLs set for near/computer distance and then wear glasses for driving?
    Oct 27, 2017
  • Find an Ophthalmologist
    Advanced Search
  • Ask an Ophthalmologist
    Browse Answers
  • Free Newsletter

    Get ophthalmologist-reviewed tips and information about eye health and preserving your vision.

    Privacy Policy
  • EyeCare America - no-cost medical eye exams for qualifying seniors

 
  • Contact Us
  • About the Academy
  • Jobs at the Academy
  • Financial Relationships with Industry
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • For Advertisers
  • For Media
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

OUR SITES

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY

Medical Professionals

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Public & Patients

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
© American Academy of Ophthalmology 2019
* Required
* First Name:
* Last Name:
Member ID:
* Phone Number:
* Email:
* Enter code:
* Message:
 

Thank you

Your feedback has been sent.