Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is a common, delayed clouding of the thin lens capsule that holds the intraocular lens after cataract surgery. It can cause blurred vision, glare, and difficulty reading months or years after an initially successful operation.
Why It Happens
During cataract surgery the cloudy lens is removed but the back part of its capsule is left to support the implant; residual lens cells on this capsule can grow and thicken, creating a hazy “secondary cataract”.
- Symptoms often resemble the original cataract, with misty or glare-prone vision.
- PCO does not mean the implant itself has failed.
- It is more likely in younger patients and certain eye conditions but can occur in anyone.
- Regular post‑operative checks help detect it when visual quality starts to decline.
Treatment
PCO is typically treated with a quick outpatient YAG laser capsulotomy, which opens a clear window in the cloudy capsule so light can pass freely again.
- The procedure is painless with numbing drops and usually takes only a few minutes per eye.
- Vision often improves within hours to days, with low risk of complications such as temporary pressure rise or floaters.
- Once treated, PCO does not usually recur because the opened capsule cannot cloud over again in the same way.
- Patients should seek prompt review if they notice new flashes, a curtain over vision, or persistent pain after the laser.
