Secondary Cataracts
Posterior Capsule Opacification

During your surgery, the back side of the lens capsule, (posterior), is left intact to help support the intraocular lens (IOL) implant. In some people, from several months to several years after a successful cataract surgery, a cloud may develop in this membrane. The symptoms of this are often similar to those that occurred with the original cataract.

This opacified remnant can be removed by a laser. The laser makes a small opening in the middle of this membrane. This can be done quickly and painlessly without requiring an incision in the eye. The membrane almost never grows back after laser treatment. The only exception is in children, in whom the membrane often regrows one or more times. The post-procedure restrictions are usually minimal.