Can the YAG Laser Be Performed on People Who Haven't Had Cataract Surgery?

Опубликовано: 15 Август 2024
на канале: Retina e Vítreo

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Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Mário Bulla. Welcome to the Retina e Vítreo Channel, the most comprehensive retina channel on YouTube. Today we're going to address a very pertinent question sent in by one of our followers: can the YAG laser be performed on those who have never had cataract surgery?

First of all, it's important to understand that the YAG laser is a versatile tool used in different ophthalmic contexts. The most common use of the YAG laser is for a procedure called capsulotomy. Let's understand it better.

Capsulotomy with YAG Laser

When we operate on a cataract, we remove the opaque lens from the eye and implant an artificial intraocular lens in its place. This lens is usually made of acrylic and is positioned inside the lens capsule, a thin membrane that sits behind the natural lens.

Over time, it is common for this capsule to become opaque, impairing vision. When this happens, we perform a YAG laser capsulotomy. This procedure consists of applying laser shots to the opaque capsule to clean it, improving the patient's vision.

However, capsulotomy can only be performed on patients who have already undergone cataract surgery, as it involves the posterior capsule of the lens, which is only accessible after the natural lens has been removed.

YAG Laser Iridotomy

Now let's talk about another use of the YAG laser: iridotomy. This procedure can be performed on patients who have not had cataract surgery, especially those who have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition that can cause increased intraocular pressure, leading to loss of vision. There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle and narrow-angle. Narrow-angle glaucoma occurs when the space between the iris and the lens is so small that it hinders the circulation of aqueous humor, the inner fluid of the eye.

In cases of narrow-angle glaucoma, especially if there is a risk of pupillary blockage, we perform a YAG laser iridotomy. In this procedure, we make a small hole in the iris to allow the aqueous humor to flow freely between the posterior chamber and the anterior chamber of the eye, reducing intraocular pressure.

Final considerations

So, to answer the question: yes, the YAG laser can be done on those who have not had cataract surgery, but not for capsulotomy. Instead, it is used for iridotomy, a procedure indicated for patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.

If you have any more questions about this or other topics related to eye health, please leave a comment. Don't forget to leave a like, subscribe to the channel and see you in the next video, here on the Retina e Vítreo channel.

Remember: the health of your eyes is fundamental. Always go to a specialist for advice and appropriate treatment.
This video and its comments are not a substitute for a doctor's consultation and are for educational purposes only. They should not be used to make decisions, for which a face-to-face consultation with a specialist doctor is necessary.
Author:
Dr. Mário César Bulla
Cremers 28120
Ophthalmologist - Retinologist
www.clinicabulla.com.br

www.especialistaemretina.com.br
Instagram: @retina.bulla
Video URL: • YAG laser sem operar catarata ??
@Retina e Vítreo
#retina
#ophthalmology

0:00 Can the YAG laser be done on people who haven't had cataract surgery?
0:55 What is cataract surgery like?
1:25 What is YAG laser capsulotomy?
2:15 YAG laser iridotomy.