Do Cataracts Come Back After Cataract Surgery?

Cataracts are curable! And once a cataract or the natural lens is removed, it is impossible for a cataract to return. Despite this, however, some people may talk about a cataract developing again or after-cataract. But didn’t you just say it was impossible?

When we perform surgery to remove a cataract, we are removing the natural lens from inside the eye. Over time, this natural lens becomes cloudy, makes your vision blurry and turns into a cataract. Cataract surgery breaks up this lens and essentially “vacuums” this lens out getting rid of the cataract.

So it is NOT possible for this cataract to grow and come back after cataract surgery. Our natural lens is formed (just like the vast majority of our body) before birth. We only get one natural lens. Once this lens is gone, it can’t grow back.

But again, how come some people talk about getting a cataract again after cataract surgery?

What Is This “Secondary” Cataract?

To understand what they are talking about, let’s first look at where the new artificial lens is placed within the eye. The natural lens and cataract exist in a suspended bag within the eye called the capsule.

During cataract surgery, an opening is created in this capsule and the cataract is dissolved, removed, and replaced with a new clear artificial lens. This new artificial lens is designed to sit right in the same capsule that contained the old lens. The capsule is intentionally left to hold the new new lens.

_{Artificial lens placed after the cataract is removed; Image by Frank C. Müller / CC BY-SA}

After cataract surgery, microscopic cataract cells can remain behind. Over time, these microscopic cells can attach to the capsule and start to grow again and cover the back of the capsule; causing the capsule to become cloudy. And this cloudiness makes the vision blurry; almost as if a cataract has returned!

This is called a posterior capsular opacification (literally clouding of the capsule), but can also be known as a secondary cataract or after-cataract. But it isn’t the cataract coming back; it is simply the capsule getting cloudy after the procedure.

A cloudy capsule can be annoying. In addition to causing blurry vision, it also causes scattering of light and glare.

And they are actually quite common. Up to twenty percent of all patients after cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange may develop some form of a cloudy capsule.

But fortunately, nothing to worry about, this clouding is easily treated with an easy in-office laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy.

How A YAG Capsulotomy Works

During a YAG capsulotomy, a laser is used to focus on the very back cloudy part of the capsule. Energy is applied which disrupts the capsule right where the laser is focusing and creates an opening. Throughout the procedure, multiple spots are created in order to get rid of the cloudiness and provide a nice clear opening through the cloudy capsule.

_{Light shining through the clear capsule; Image by Titus Tscharntke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons}

YAG capulotomy is actually quite an easy procedure to go through. There is no pain. And all of this is done in less than a minute! Afterwards, the clouding doesn’t return.

There really isn’t much of a reason not to get YAG capsulotomy if the capsule has some clouding; restoring that perfect post-cataract surgery vision!

Also check out Exactly What To Expect With The Recovery After YAG Surgery on EyeMountain.com

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