YAG capsulotomy may or may not help when vision was never sharp after cataract surgery; the key is to identify whether PCO is truly responsible.
When it may help
Sometimes PCO develops early or was underestimated.
- Early capsule haze seen soon after surgery that has since progressed
- Stable retina, cornea, and optic nerve with no other clear explanation
- Refractive error corrected but vision still limited, with PCO evident
- Expectation of at least some improvement in clarity after laser
- Trial or simulation (for example with dilation) suggesting haze is significant
When other causes are more likely
Persistent blur often has different origins.
- Incorrect IOL power, astigmatism, or residual refractive error
- Macular disease, optic‑nerve damage, or surgical complications
- Corneal problems, such as oedema or scarring
- Multifocal lens adaptation issues or decentration
- In these cases, YAG is usually deferred while other solutions are explored
