Has anyone here had laser surgery on their eyes after cataract surgery? Did it help improve vision and if so can you recommend a good clinic. I live in the Tarn et Garonne.
I had cataract surgery three years ago but it hasnt helped my eyesight.
Hi Jenni, do you know why you need laser surgery? About 1 in 10 people who have cataract surgery need a further laser procedure afterwards to correct for subsequent cloudy vision. This may well be your scenario. I have not had it done, but a close friend had it done last year - he said it was a very simple procedure. There is something called āposterior capsular opacificationā or PCO, which is related to the way your eye heals. (My OH has it and is already discussing with the surgeon who did the original op when he should get the laser treatment done.) If this is what you have, it should be no big deal. Could you go back to the surgeon who originally operated on your cataracts - itās a pretty routine thing for them.
I am currently undergoing laser treatment, not after a cataract operation but to repair the retina. If I wanted to ask a question like you are asking my first port of call would be the doctor at the clinic. My clinic would be of no use to use because itās a long way north but your MT would be able to point you in the right direction.
I feel I should know more about your question because in the past few weeks I have watched hours and hours of easy to understand videos about eye care and laser surgery on the TVs in the waiting room and there was always a QR code to link you to the same information on your own computer. Unfortunately I didnāt access the link so canāt help there.
There was quite a comprehensive discussion about this very thing, back-along, in March 2024. Results were reported to be very good - significant improvements.
1 Like
@_Brian is this something you had done?
1 Like
Hi Sue. Yes, Iāve had laser work for retinal tears and detachments, plus treatment following cataract-related post capsular opacification.
Itās hard to know how to answer the OP without knowing what the problem is and what kind of laser surgery is being considered.
Tears and detachments are usually fixed successfully under general anaesthetic using a variety of techniques which often include lasers.
General optical defects (short and long sight, some astigmatism) can be dealt with by using a laser to reshape the outer surface of the eye.
PCO work is picked up at a regular check up. Once the opacification is sufficiently developed, it is treated by zapping the material covering the back of the lens capsule (rather like a film of cobwebs) with a YaG laser. In the UK I had to wait two years for this. In France it was done immediately on diagnosis. The procedure is completely painless and takes just a couple of minutes, with the only recovery time being a 60 minute wait for the effects of the eye drops to wear off.
1 Like
Hi Brian
Thank you very much for your reply. Did you have your laser work done privately in France or the same place where you had your cataract surgery done?
PPS The reason I asked is that at the clinique in Montauban where I had the cataract surgery done the eye doctor said he could correct my far sight with a laser but that I would need glasses to read.I was wondering if it would be better to have it done privately as eyes are such important things!
PPS And the eye doctors at the clinique in Montauban are always so rushed and you donāt have time to ask them any questions
The cataract surgery was in the UK. The first via NHS (2 year wait) and the second private (because of projected 3-4 year wait). Both in the UK as it was before I moved to France. Because of various complications I developed post capsular opacification after each lens replacement. I had to wait 2 years for treatment in the uk. Treatment in France was instant in an outpatient clinic under the state system. The staff were not rushed and took care and time to answer all of my questions. This was in the eye clinic that is part of Limoges Hospital .
In terms of your further treatment, this will depend on the precise lens replacement that was chosen and the nature of your particular eye problems. If it were me, Iād talk to my MT and get a referral to the recommended local hospital.
3 Likes
Thank you
I forgot to wish you bon chance for your eye treatmentā¦
1 Like
Thanks very much Brian
I developed what my ophthalmo called secondary cataracts about a year after cataract surgery. He said it was very common. The solution was a quick and painless laser procedure ā about 30 seconds per eye, a week or so apart. Distance vision has now returned perfectly, although I still use glasses for reading. I could drive down for the laser treatment, unlike the original cataract surgery. My ophthalmo said the positive effects of the laser treatment would be permanent.
2 Likes
PCO develops in 1 to 10% of lens replacement patients, so ānot unusualā rather than ācommonā.
Not necessarily. The condition develops again in 1 to 10% of patients.
Thank you
Interesting, Brian. Thank you. Iāll have to ask my chap more about this.
1 Like
Hello there ! I am Sheila and I live in the Languedoc . When I was about 40 I felt my eyesight going ; and I was at full time uni . !
I a tually went to Harley Street ana had my first laser treatment there! What a difference!
It was well worth the expense!
Hiwever ater in life, when I was in France i too developed cataracts in both eyes.
I went to a private clinic near Colombiers, had my eyes tested and the dianosis was cataracts in both eyes. Within a month I had both eyes done and one month later i had further laser surgery on both eyes . That was 2014 - and Ihave not had a problem since. My eyes work fine and I have non problems at all.
I suggest you investigate what is available in your area and ask for a consultation. By the way did you know that all doctors have to train in English in France? My neughbour is our local doctor and he has 3 sons , all doctors. - and they all speak perfect English. Hope this helps youā¦Sheila
Hi Sheila
Thank you so much 
Sorry if I bang on about eye stuff. Iāve always been fascinated by optics in general and vision in particular and (thanks to various eye problems) have enjoyed learning about different methods of correcting eye problems. When I ran a video production company, we were lucky enough to film various eye procedures, from laser correction of the cornea through to full-on treatment of retinal tears and macular problems.
āLaser treatmentā for eyes isnāt just one thing - it can relate to a variety of treatments for a variety of problems.
Dealing with PCO remains one of the fastest and safest treatments out there - In having my 4th treatment in a couple of weeks 