Cloudy again after cataract surgery? YAG laser fixes it in minutes
Some months or years after a successful cataract operation, vision can slowly turn hazy again. The cataract has not come back: the thin capsule that holds the new lens has clouded over. It is called posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and a painless laser clears it in a few minutes.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananyabrata Das, MBBS, DOUpdated 24 October 2026
What PCO is
In cataract surgery the cloudy lens is removed but its thin outer bag, the capsule, is kept to hold the new lens. In some people, cells grow across the back of the capsule over time and make it hazy. Symptoms feel like the original cataract: blur, glare, and dull colours.
The YAG laser
- Drops to dilate the pupil and numb the eye
- You sit at a laser machine like the one used for eye checks
- The laser makes a small clear opening in the back of the capsule. You may hear clicks; there is no pain
- Pressure is checked afterwards, and anti-inflammatory drops are used for a few days
You can usually go back to normal activities the same day. A few new floaters for some days is common.
Cost and schemes
YAG capsulotomy is a short outpatient laser and costs far less than the original surgery. It is covered under CGHS, WBHS and ESI. See schemes, or call for the current price.
Book an examination with Dr. Das at Spectra Eye Hospital, Chinar Park (open daily, 9 am – 8 pm): call +91 98308 73460 or book online.
Questions
Has my cataract come back?
No. A cataract can't come back once removed. Haze after surgery is usually PCO, which the YAG laser clears.
Is YAG laser painful?
No. Numbing drops are used and the laser itself is not felt.
Will I need YAG laser again?
Almost never. Once the opening is made it stays clear.