Laser surgery

Posterior capsular opacification is a common complication after cataract surgery. This clouding of the posterior capsule of the eye lens can cause blurred vision, sensitivity to glare, and other vision problems.

What is a posterior capsular opacification?

After cataract surgery, the clouded lens of the eye is replaced with a clear intraocular artificial lens. However, the posterior capsule of the original lens remains over the artificial lens. Over time, this capsule can become opacified, causing vision problems. This cloudy area is called a posterior capsular opacification.

Treatment process: YAG laser capsulotomy is a minimally invasive treatment that is usually carried out on an outpatient basis:

• Preparation: Your pupils will be dilated with eye drops to make access to the post-cataract easier.
• Laser application: The posterior capsule is opened using a YAG laser and the vision becomes clear again. The procedure is painless and only takes a few minutes.
• Follow-up treatment: You can usually return home immediately after treatment. No special restrictions are required, although you may notice temporary sensitivity to light or vitreous opacity.

FLACS is used for patients undergoing cataract surgery. Femtosecond lasers can precisely separate tissue under computer control without causing thermal damage to neighboring tissue. It is used for anterior capsulotomy (opening of the anterior capsular leaf) and phacofragmentation (crushing of the lens of the eye). The wavelength of the laser is in the femtosecond range.

The possibility of complications such as injuries to the posterior lens capsule, is minimized by OCT-supported planning of the procedure. The anchoring of the artificial lens in the capsular bag is optimal and reproducible. Tilting of the artificial lens is practically impossible and the optics of the artificial lens can be used optimally. Less ultrasound energy is used than in normal phacoemulsification. The procedure is very gentle and the inner layer of the cornea remains undamaged. However, it should be noted that FLACS requires a longer operating time and higher operating eypenses can be expected.

Refractive laser surgery is a group of procedures that use a laser beam to change the shape of the eye's cornea. By reshaping the cornea, the eye's refractive error can be corrected, resulting in clearer vision without glasses or contact lenses.

Different types of refractive laser surgery

• LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis): With LASIK, a corneal flap is prepared and the underlying tissue area is treated with an excimer laser. The flap is then replaced.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): In PRK, the top layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed, then the excimer laser is directed at the underlying cornea. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not create a corneal flap.
• LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis): Similar to PRK, in LASEK the top layer of epithelium is carefully pushed aside before the laser is aimed at the cornea. The epithelium is then placed back on the cornea.