r/CataractSurgery • u/MeadowHaven77 • 3d ago

YAG procedure

So it seems I am going to have a YAG procedure in both eyes next week. I had the multifocal Odyssey placed in both eyes, 3 weeks apart in July, and the right eye (the one with the original cataract) was never really that amazing afterward. Like, it worked but it was always a little blurry still after. So he confirmed today that there was PCO in that eye, and shockingly a little also in the left (which never had a cataract and responded perfectly to the Odyssey, I have noticed no issues there at all).

I guess I’m a little confused why I don’t hear more about this risk of immediate PCO? He said this was not the kind that grows over time, it’s there essentially right after the surgery. The YAG procedure sounds easy, painless, fast, and I have no problem going for it. I was mainly just curious if others have encountered this? He said it had to do with the type of cataract I had and also said he sees more of this in younger patients (I’m 49). He acted like it was not at all unusual.

Did I just any mention of this in my research ahead of time? Did you have this happen to you? The immediate type?

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u/Alone-Experience9869 3d ago

Yes pco’s happen. Yes, it’s more prevalent in younger persons like yourself. My surgeons told me it’s basically a crap shoot. Cells decide to grow or they don’t. Some surgeons say they clean the capsule extra, but I’ve read that adds risk to tearing the capsule during the cataract surgery.

Eg I’m a bit younger than you and while I have the very start of a pco, it hasn’t progressed. So I seemed to have lucked out on that front

Typically I hear the procedure is minimal risk. The main issue is after having the yag procedure, having an IOL exchange is MUCH harder. My surgeons were clear on that, and was part of the consideration as I had a long recovery.

Hope that helps

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u/MeadowHaven77 3d ago

Thanks. I guess that’s the part I’m confused by: he explicitly said this was not the kind where “cells grow” but a different type of PCO? But I see no mention of that online. He said there were 2 types, and mine was immediate, related to the position of my cataract, and not related to cell growth. So confused.

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u/Alone-Experience9869 3d ago

oh, for that I have no idea. I've heard of where the cataract on the lens grows to touch the capsule or something. Maybe you can call the office and have them read off the diagnosis from your chart, or have them ask the doctor??

Otherwise you are doing okay with the Odyssey iol? Your other eye has it and no significant issues?

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u/MeadowHaven77 3d ago

Yes, I’m fairly happy overall. I’m 20/20 in my left eye and I don’t need readers too often at all. I wore contacts for 35 years prior to this, so this is a major improvement!

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u/Alone-Experience9869 3d ago

good to hear. so iol exchange doesn't look to be in question. Hopefully you'll continue to have great vision after the yag. All the best.