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- Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is clouding that forms on the thin, natural capsule or bag that holds your artificial lens in place. It's the most common side effect after cataract surgery. The cloudy lens capsule can cause blurry vision and other eyesight problems.
www.allaboutvision.com/eye-surgery/cataract-surgery/faq-posterior-capsular-opacification-pco/What Are Secondary Cataracts (Posterior Capsular Opacification)?
People also ask
Can PCO cause vision to become cloudy again?
What is PCO & how does it affect cataract surgery?
How does PCO affect your eyesight?
What is posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery?
What is PCO & how is it treated?
What causes cloudy vision after cataract surgery?
Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a complication that can occur some time after cataract surgery. On this page. PCO can cause vision to become cloudy again and can even make it seem as though your cataract has returned, with symptoms of hazy vision or glare from lights.
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
Posterior capsular opacification (secondary cataract) is a clouding of the thin membrane (lens capsule) that surrounds your newly implanted IOL. It’s a common complication of cataract surgery that can occur months or years afterward, causing fuzzy vision. Your provider can easily treat a secondary cataract through a quick laser procedure.
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OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving With
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What are the symptoms?
Posterior capsular opacification symptoms include: Cloudy, blurred or fuzzy vision. It may seem like you’re looking through frosted glass. Glare or haloes around lights. Sensitivity to light. Trouble reading. These symptoms resemble typical cataract symptoms prior to surgery.
What causes posterior capsular opacification?
When your provider removes your eye’s natural lens during cataract surgery, there can still be some lens epithelial cells left over. These cells travel and collect on the surface of your lens capsule. Healthcare providers call this process cell migration, and it’s actually part of your body’s normal healing process. As these cells build up, they cause your capsule, which is normally clear, to grow cloudy. If you think of your lens capsule as an apartment that houses your lens, then you can picture dirt gradually building up on your apartment window. This cloudiness affects your ability to see out your window (or your eye) as you normally would. So, you begin to experience the same symptoms that led you to have cataract surgery in the first place.
How is a secondary cataract diagnosed?
Eye care specialists diagnose posterior capsular opacification through a careful eye exam, which includes a slit lamp exam. This is a painless test that allows your provider to get a close look inside your eye. Your provider will also ask about your medical history and your history of eye surgery to reach a diagnosis.
What is the treatment for posterior capsular opacification?
Healthcare providers treat secondary cataracts with YAG laser capsulotomy (posterior capsulotomy). This is a laser surgery that your provider performs in-office. It only takes around five minutes. “YAG” is the name of the specific type of laser that your provider uses. During this procedure, your provider numbs your eye with drops. Then, they use lasers to make a tiny hole in your cloudy lens capsule. This hole lets light pass through your IOL, as it should, and gives you back your clear vision.
Can posterior capsular opacification go away by itself?
No, you need treatment for a secondary cataract to see clearly again. You should see your provider if you develop symptoms. Care at Cleveland Clinic Cataracts Surgery Find a Doctor and Specialists Make an Appointment
Can secondary cataracts be prevented?
There’s nothing you can do to prevent a secondary cataract. However, researchers are looking into new surgical methods and IOL technologies that may lower a person’s risk. You may wish to talk to your provider about these latest advancements to learn more.
Does posterior capsular opacification go away?
Yes, with treatment, secondary cataracts can quickly go away. You should feel better and see clearly again about 24 hours after your laser surgery.
What is the outlook for this condition?
Most people have an excellent outlook after treatment for secondary cataracts. Rarely, another secondary cataract can form on your lens capsule. If this happens, your provider can treat it again with the same laser procedure.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
Call your provider if you have symptoms of a secondary cataract. It’s important not to delay care since such symptoms (like changes in your vision) can signal many possible problems, aside from a secondary cataract. Your provider may ask you to come in for an exam so they can find out what’s wrong and give you the proper treatment.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
If you’re having cataract surgery, you may want to ask your provider: What’s my risk for a secondary cataract? What can you do to lower that risk? When is a secondary cataract most likely to develop? What symptoms should I look out for? If you’re having laser surgery to treat a secondary cataract, ask your provider: What can I expect during this surgery? What’s the recovery like? When will my vision return to normal? What are the risks of this procedure for me? What can you do to lower my risk of complications? What are the chances of a secondary cataract forming again later on? A note from Cleveland Clinic No one wants to have a complication after surgery. And if one does occur, you may feel frustrated or upset. Rest assured that secondary cataracts are a common complication of cataract surgery. Healthcare providers know how to treat them, and they’re confident that you’ll quickly regain your clear vision and go on with life as normal. Still, it’s important to talk to your provider about the risk of complications any time you have a procedure, including cataract surgery or laser surgery to treat secondary cataracts. Learning about the risks can ease your mind about what’s to come and also prepare you for any bumps in the road. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/14/2023. Learn more about our editorial process.
Sep 9, 2021 · Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is clouding that forms on the thin, natural capsule or bag that holds your artificial lens in place. It's the most common side effect after cataract surgery. The cloudy lens capsule can cause blurry vision and other eyesight problems. Eye doctors treat it with a simple laser procedure. What is a secondary ...
Sep 2, 2024 · PCO vision refers to a condition called posterior capsule opacification, which occurs when the lens capsule becomes cloudy after cataract surgery. Causes of cloudy and blurry sight in PCO vision include the regrowth of lens cells, inflammation, and other factors that affect the clarity of vision.
Oct 4, 2024 · Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) is a frequent complication following cataract surgery. It involves the clouding of the posterior lens capsule, a thin membrane that secures the lens within the eye. This clouding can result in blurred or hazy vision.
Feb 7, 2023 · A common complication of cataract surgery is posterior capsular opacification (PCO), which leads to cloudy or blurry vision. Learn more about the causes and treatments available.
Mar 30, 2024 · PCO is more likely to occur if you have diabetes, eye inflammation or trauma history or were exposed to sunlight shortly after cataract removal surgery. Avoiding exposure to sunlight or other sources of UV radiation after cataract surgery can help minimize PCO.
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