YAG laser capsulotomy question

[Mindy306]

I had both eyes implanted with the Crystalens about 5 months ago and am very happy with the results.  I now have some fairly minor opacification of the capsular bags.  My terrific eye surgeon sadly passed away and I am in a bit of a quandry.

1) Should I wait for the problem to get worse before seeking YAG laser treatment?
2) Does it matter if I have a Crystalens-certified surgeon do the laser treatment or is it safe to have an eye surgeon with no experience with the Crystalens?

Also, I have very small pupils.

Thanks!
Mindy

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

1)  you should only consider the laser if your vision is obviously affected by it.  All procedures have inherent risk.
2)  Ideally you want a surgeon who has experience dealing with crystalens to do the laser to take into account how laser impacts these lenses specifically.

HV

[Candace888]

Hi,
I'm certainly not a doctor, but I did have the yag laser capsulotomy done 90 days after my cataract surgery.  We knew right away that I needed it.  The doctor told me at that time that you can do it too soon or too long after the fact.  He said there is a point where it is just perfectly ready to split open when the laser hits it and you get the best result.  I would find the best cataract surgeon around and go for a consult if it were me.  I don't know about the cystalens certification.  My retinal doctor gave me a referral for a cataract surgeon, they see a lot of doctors work and are well informed of their skill level.  Maybe call a retinal specialist in the area for a referral?  Just a thought...

[Mindy306]

Thank you for your comments.  I live in a rural area with limited specialists and have been trying to get these answers for some time now.  I realize there are no absolutes but I had suspected that a surgeon trained with the crystalens might be a better choice for a YAG capsulotomy (if needed) and may also be a good choice for my 6-month surgery follow-up.

I've read about so many problems with the crystalens yet my surgeon had very good success with it and I am thrilled to be without glasses after 56 years.  I do still use 1.00 readers for very small print but that seems to me like a small price to pay and I was told that my reading vision could continue to improve for up to 7 years.  I was fully informed up front about good (and poor) outcomes and the probabilities of being free of distance and reading glasses after surgery and knew that none of them were 100%.  My results far exceeded my expectations, though I didn't expect miracles!