Yag Laser Surgery or Vitrectomy for Large Floaters

[hsum4]

To Dr. Flavius G Pernoud III:

I have a large obstructive floater in my left eye that is making it difficult for me to read and drive.  The light hits the floater and I'm blinded in that eye.  My doctor tells me that in some cases a floater near the outside of the lens can be eradicated with a Yag Laser.  However, I have cell growth in this same eye that developed from an IOL Replacement so it also needs a Capsulotomy.  If the doctor can laser the floater and get rid of it will that help prevent retinal detachment if he decides to  do the Capsulotomy afterwards in the same eye?  I don't want to have another Vitrectomy (done in other eye) in this eye too if it's possible to avoid it.

Thank you
hsum4

[hsum4]

Thank you for your reply.

hsum4

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I'm going to jump in an answer but Dr. P can also answer later.  The yag will not prevent future retinal detachment and in fact there is a small risk of retinal detachment from the yag laser capsulotomy.  Regarding yag laser treatment for floaters, it is not standard of care and in fact only a very few doctors even have a yag laser modified to treat the vitreous.  In general, I would not look to the yag laser as your cure for floaters but this might change in the future.  If you do need a yag laser capsulotomy, then that is a generally safe and effective procedure.

MJK MD