Incidence of PCO after cataract surgery

[seaglass777]

Why is there such a wide disparity online in reported cases of PCO after cataract surgery? I have read everything from almost zero cases of PCO due to better cataract surgery techniques than in the past, to under 20%, 50% and other percentages mostly around 50% or under. If the rates of PCO are so low, I'm wondering why I see many people of all ages online stating they have recently had YAG for PCO or were told they need it (I'm one of those and my only symptom is some glare at night, otherwise my vision is good). As a matter of fact, my doctor told me EVERYONE gets PCO after cataract surgery. I'm not sure if he meant to a lesser or greater degree, but he said everyone gets it. Would this be due to his cataract surgery technique not being up to date or some other reason? From what I can tell, his practice is mostly made up of patients in their late 60s and older (I'm younger than that, but over 50), so it's not that most of his patients are younger and getting refractive lens exchange, since I also read that PCO occurs more in younger people.

[JohnHaganMD]

If you in fact did hear your doctor right and were told that EVERYONE gets a yag capsulotomy for posterior capsular opacification (PCO) then I would get a new doctor because: a. he/she is untruthful  b. he/she is ignorant  c. he/she does unnecessary lasers.

I did much of my surgery in the 1980s and 90s and at that time in USA the % of people that eventually need Yag cap was 90%. Today due to better IOL design, especially edge design, and better technique the % is about 20%.  Now many of the people that had surgery 10, 15, 20, 25 years ago when rates where higher are still alive and are having yag laser now.  In many parts of the world IOLs do not have edge design to lower PCO rates. In some places 3rd world where access to ophthalmologists is low a yag cap might be done soon after surgery so that it would not be necessary in the future.