Cataract surgery is one of the most frequent currently in Ophthalmology, which has become a reliable technique, effective and reproducible with current technology.

In cataract surgery an intraocular lens is always implanted. This lens replaces the natural lens (the crystalline lens), which over time has lost its transparency and elasticity.

With this surgery, the patient is able to recover lost vision, and in many cases avoid using glasses again, thanks to the multifocal or extended vision range (EDOF) intraocular lenses.

Con el paso del tiempo, en muchas ocasiones el paciente comienza a perder de nuevo su  visión, in fact, there are patients who believe that a new cataract has appeared. This is due to the proliferation of anterior subcapsular epithelial cells, which migrate to the posterior capsule (where the new lens rests).

These cells cover the posterior capsule, creating an irregular and fibrotic material, sometimes with a cystic appearance and without a fixed pattern, called Pearls of Elschnig.

This side effect produces blurred vision, and decreases sensitivity to contrast, and sometimes double vision in the eye where this discomfort occurs (monocular diplopia).

It is a common problem in ophthalmology consultations, with a successful treatment: “Neodymium-YAG laser capsulotomy”. It is a painless and short-term technique, about ten minutes.

For this procedure, two types of drops are placed in the affected eye, some are to dilate the pupil and others to reduce the intraocular pressure. With the laser, small micro-tears in the form of a circumference are produced on the posterior capsule of the eye, the result is again transparent and free from the visual axis.

After the procedure, the patient perceives a better vision, although it is usual to notice “myodesopsias” or floaters in the first days, due to the fall to the posterior chamber of the eye, of the excised material. Patients report that they return to the visual quality prior to the problem, which is comparable to the vision after cataract or transparent crystalline surgery (refractive lensectomy).

Post-surgical treatment is treated with anti-inflammatory drops, the first seven or ten days, requiring a follow-up after two weeks to verify that the result is satisfactory.

This is a procedure that is performed regularly in the ophthalmology consultations,obtaining excellent results.