The short answer
When sight turns hazy again months or years after cataract surgery, the usual cause is posterior capsule opacification, or PCO: the thin membrane that holds the new lens becomes cloudy. The cataract has not come back. A YAG laser capsulotomy makes a small clear opening in that membrane in a few minutes in clinic, with no cut and no stitches. Sudden loss of vision, flashes or a curtain over your sight is different and needs an eye emergency service the same day.
Ask about YAG laser capsulotomyMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
What PCO is
During cataract surgery the cloudy lens is removed but its thin outer bag, the capsule, is left in place to hold the new lens. In some people, cells left on the capsule grow across the back of it and make it cloudy. It can happen months or years later. The symptoms feel like the cataract again: hazy or blurred sight, glare from lights, faded colours.
The YAG laser treatment
The pupil is widened with drops and the eye is numbed. You sit at a machine like the one used for eye examinations, and the doctor may place a contact lens on the eye to steady it. The laser makes a small opening in the cloudy capsule. You may hear clicks and see flashes. It is usually painless and takes a few minutes.
Afterwards your sight may be blurred from the drops for a few hours. Floaters for a few days are common. Your pressure may be checked, because it can rise briefly, and you may be given drops. Most people go back to normal activity the same day, but do not drive until the dilating drops wear off.
Risks to know
YAG laser is very commonly done and problems are uncommon. They include a rise in eye pressure, swelling at the back of the eye, and, rarely, a retinal tear or detachment. Know the warning signs for the weeks after:
- A sudden shower of new floaters
- Flashes of light
- A shadow or curtain moving across your vision
- Pain or worsening sight
What it costs on Mezo
Pressure check after the laser and a review included.
Common questions
Has my cataract grown back?
No. Once the natural lens is removed, the cataract cannot come back. Cloudiness after surgery is almost always the capsule behind the new lens.
Will I need YAG laser more than once?
Usually not. Once the opening is made, it stays open. Your eye doctor will tell you if a further treatment is needed.
Can PCO be prevented?
Lens design and surgical technique lower the chance, but nothing prevents it completely. It is not a sign the first operation was done badly.
What does YAG laser cost on Mezo?
The eye specialist confirms it is PCO first, because other causes of hazy sight need different care. You then get a written quote before any treatment.
The procedures
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- What is posterior capsule opacification?. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patient information.
- Cataract surgery. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.