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Is it safe to do YAG laser surgery in elderly patients?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have technical questions regarding the YAG laser surgery. To remove a cloud in my eyes, which occurred many years after cataract surgery. I have a movement of my head, which is gentle, and I cannot rest my head comfortably on the equipment for the operation. Would an ophthalmologist have any equipment to keep me steady, with the head rested comfortably so that the operation can be done?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for your query. Most YAG (yttrium aluminium garnet) capsulotomy machines come equipped with a headband to prevent head movements during the procedure, so you should not have anything to worry about. The procedure hardly takes five minutes and is not surgery. The laser is shot onto the posterior capsule remnant, and a hole is created, so the cloudiness is removed. Your vision and eye pressure will be checked following the procedure, and eye drops prescribed. I hope this answers your questions.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you so much for your reply.

Are there any other options to keep me steady if the band does not work? Like for the cataract, one is lying down, or something, the hospital would have? After all, this operation is performed mostly on the elderly. Who have all kinds of illnesses? The other question is, the YAG, does it involve the ophthalmologist, just looking at the base at the top of the eyeball? Or are they able to see if there is any deterioration of the eyes when doing the YAG? Can this both be done together, the YAG, and looking at the eyes for deterioration at the same time?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Most YAG machines are attached to the slit lamp microscope, like the examination chair present in every ophthalmologist's examination room. It cannot be done lying on a bed. The head strap is attached to the gadget where the chin is placed, and the forehead is supported so the head cannot be moved. An assistant can also help keep the head so that even trembling of the head often seen in older people can be controlled. To examine the internal part of the eye, this is done separately before conducting the Yag laser. The capsule's cloudiness can usually not be visualized entirely depending on the thickness of the cloud. The laser treatment plane is at the level of the lens capsule remnant supporting the intraocular lens implant. There is no way that the eye's internal part will get damaged with the laser unless it is handled by someone who is not an ophthalmologist. Once the laser is completed in a few minutes, the ophthalmologist can examine his regular examination microscope's inner eye. At that time, he can give you a clear picture of the status of the internal part of the eye. I hope I was able to explain it clearly. Please feel free to ask more doubts.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

But the equipment in the YAG room can be used to see the deterioration in the eyes, or it has to be a separate instrument. This question is not about doing damage to the eyes when having the YAG done.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

No, I am sorry, but it cannot be used for an internal eye examination. The slit lamp biomicroscope with an external lens or indirect ophthalmoscope, a different instrument, is required for internal (retinal) eye examination after dilation of the pupils. You can perhaps request the ophthalmologist to conduct a thorough examination after the YAG laser procedure. Thank you.

Medically reviewed byDr. Preetha. J

Published At November 3, 2020
Reviewed AtJuly 3, 2024

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