What should I know before I have a Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy?

It is common to have a new floater in the eye after this surgery.

Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy is not used to prevent clouding of the back lining of the lens capsule (posterior capsule opacification). There is no way to know who will get clouding in the back of the eye after cataract surgery. Certain lenses used in the surgery to remove the cataract may lower this risk and the need for laser surgery later.

As with cataract surgery, it is important to weigh the risks and possible benefits of laser capsulotomy before deciding to have the surgery. About 1 out of 50 people who have laser capsulotomy after cataract surgery develop retinal detachment, which can cause serious vision loss.