Elmira ASC, LLC

My Doctor Recommends a Laser, What Does That Mean?

YAG PC-Sometimes, after cataract surgery, your vision becomes cloudy again.  The artificial lens that is placed into your eye during cataract surgery can become cloudy weeks, months or even years after surgery.  The posterior capsulotomy, (YAG PC) is a laser used to make an opening in the cloudy capsule, allowing light to pass through again, giving you clearer vision. 

SLT-SLT (laser trabeculoplasty) is a type of laser that treats open-angle glaucoma. With glaucoma, aqueous humor (the clear liquid inside the front part of our eyes) does not drain properly from the front of the eye. Pressure builds in the eye, which damages the optic nerve. If it is not treated, glaucoma leads to blindness. Laser trabeculoplasty helps fluid drain properly again, lowering your eye pressure.  No treatment can fix damage already done to the optic nerve, but laser trabeculoplasty can help prevent further damage from glaucoma. 

YAG PI-A torn retina is a serious problem that makes your vision blurry and often leads to a more serious condition called a detached retina. This is where the retina is lifted away from the back of the eye.  As we get older, the vitreous (jelly-like substance that fills the middle of the eye) in our eyes starts to shrink and get thinner. The vitreous may stick to the retina and pull where it could tear, allowing fluid to pass through the tear and lift and detach the retina. This must be treated right away or you could lose your vision. 

You will be scheduled a date and time for your laser appointment, but this time may be adjusted the day of surgery due to scheduling needs that day. Any financial responsibility will be communicated to you and will be collected at the time of scheduling. Although both lasers are done in the surgery center and typically take just a few minutes to do, please plan on being at the center for at least an hour to account for the pre-surgical screening and time for eye drops to take effect. 

As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Please see your ophthalmologist for details on what the risks are for your specific procedure.