Come back? – Can cataracts come back?

Cataract surgery involves removing the affected eye’s natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens (also referred to as an intraocular lens or IOL). Cataracts can’t come back, but if you notice your vision starting to deteriorate again, this may be because the membrane behind your new lens has started to thicken and become cloudy. This condition is called posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It’s fairly common amongst patients who’ve had cataract surgery and can be easily treated with a procedure known as YAG laser capsulotomy. Like cataract surgery, YAG laser treatment is completely painless and typically takes less than 10 minutes to complete so – while it might seem like your cataracts have come back if you develop PCO – you can rest assured that they haven’t and any vision loss you’re experiencing can be quickly resolved.