Do you experience cloudy or blurred vision after cataract surgery, or a haze that hinders your ability to see clearly again? At New York Retina Center, Dr. Brandon Johnson offers advanced YAG laser treatments to restore your vision. This quick, painless procedure helps eliminate after-cataract membranes and visual distortion.
Improve Eyesight by Removing
Visual Obstructions
YAG laser treatments use a highly focused beam of light to correct vision problems without surgery or incisions. Dr. Johnson performs these precise, in-office laser procedures to restore visual clarity and comfort after cataract surgery or in patients with persistent floaters.
Posterior Capsulotomy
After cataract surgery, some patients develop a cloudy membrane, called posterior capsule opacification, behind the new intraocular lens. This can cause blurred vision, glare, or difficulty reading. A YAG laser posterior capsulotomy uses laser energy to create a small opening in this cloudy capsule, instantly clearing the visual axis. The procedure is painless and provides rapid, lasting improvement in sight.
Vitreolysis
During vitreolysis, Dr. Johnson uses the YAG laser to target and break up bothersome vitreous floaters: tiny clumps in the gel-like fluid inside your eye that cast shadows on your retina. The laser vaporizes these opacities into smaller, less noticeable particles, improving your visual clarity and reducing the distraction of moving spots. This treatment is ideal for patients seeking relief without surgery.
YAG Laser Treatments Can Treat These Symptoms:
- Blurred or cloudy vision after cataract surgery
- Glare or halos around lights that affect night driving
- Decreased contrast sensitivity or dull, hazy vision
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details clearly
- Persistent eye floaters or moving dark spots in your vision
- A feeling that your vision has “dimmed” or regressed over time
When Are YAG Laser Treatments Indicated?
Inside your eye, the lens and vitreous must remain clear to allow light to focus sharply on the retina. When cloudiness develops in the lens capsule after cataract surgery, or when clumped proteins form in the vitreous, your vision can become blurry or distorted. YAG laser treatments precisely address these issues to restore clarity and comfort.
After Cataract Surgery
If you’ve noticed your vision becoming cloudy months or years after cataract surgery, you may have posterior capsule opacification (“after-cataract”). Posterior capsulotomy is indicated to remove this haze and restore the crisp vision you had after your procedure.
Persistent Eye Floaters
When vitreous strands or clumps cast shadows on your retina, causing dark spots that move with your eye, YAG vitreolysis may be recommended. This treatment is ideal when floaters interfere with daily tasks, such as reading, driving, or working on a computer.
Benefits of YAG Laser Treatments:
- Performed safely and comfortably in the office
- Quick procedure, typically completed within minutes
- Completely painless with no need for anesthesia or incisions
- Immediate improvement in visual clarity after treatment
- No downtime, so you can return to normal activities right away
- Highly precise targeting minimizes risk to the surrounding eye tissue
- Proven effectiveness for both after-cataract haze and vitreous floaters
What Happens During YAG Laser Treatments?
During your YAG laser treatment, you’ll sit comfortably at a specialized laser machine, similar to the one used for routine eye exams. Dr. Johnson will place a focusing lens on your eye and use precise laser pulses to treat the affected area, either clearing the cloudy capsule behind your lens or vaporizing floaters in your vitreous. You’ll feel no pain, only brief flashes of light. The procedure takes just a few minutes, and you can resume normal activities immediately.
What is the Recovery Process After YAG Laser Treatments?
Recovery after YAG laser treatment is typically quick. You may experience mild light sensitivity, temporary blurriness, or floaters for a few hours as your eye adjusts. Dr. Johnson may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce irritation and monitor your progress during follow-ups. Most patients notice clearer vision within 24 hours and can return to normal activities immediately. While complications are rare, careful aftercare ensures the best outcome.
Schedule Your Consultation
New York Retina Center is dedicated to helping you see clearly again with YAG laser treatments. Led by Dr. Johnson, our board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained retina surgeon from institutions like Wills Eye Institute and Emory University, you’ll receive expert, personalized care to restore your eyesight. Dr. Johnson takes the time to understand your concerns and tailor your treatment for the best results. If you’re struggling with cloudy vision or floaters, schedule your consultation for YAG laser treatments today.
