Is there such a thing as a second cataract?

I remember my grandmother having cataract surgery about 30 years ago while I was in junior college. She was anxious and had a bruise around her eye because her protective shield was too tight after the surgery. Years later, when her vision became blurry again, she hesitated to get her eyes checked, fearing she would need surgery again. This memory has influenced how I care for my patients undergoing cataract surgery. It’s crucial to explain what to expect so patients can manage their anxiety.

Once cataracts are surgically removed, they don’t come back. However, sometimes vision can become hazy later due to the growth of lens cells that thicken the capsule, causing a condition called posterior capsular opacification (PCO). PCO is not a complication from surgery but a common side effect. It can be treated easily, and vision is restored quickly, provided there are no other eye issues.

Why does this happen? The eye's natural lens is covered by a thin capsule. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed through a small cut, and a new lens is placed inside the capsule. Some tiny cells from the original lens may remain and can grow on the back of the new lens, causing Posterior Capsule Opacity (PCO).

What should be done? The treatment for PCO is simple, safe, quick, and painless. Vision improves as soon as the eye drops wear off. There have been no complications reported from this treatment at The Eyeclinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, where the YAG Laser machine is on-site. The procedure involves eye drops and a painless laser treatment, and it is done just once because the cells can't grow back again. Therefore, it's important not to delay treating PCO when it develops.