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Cost of YAG laser capsulotomy by state

The following estimated costs are based on cash prices that providers have historically charged on average for YAG laser capsulotomy and will vary depending on where the service is done. The prices do not include the anesthesia, imaging, and other doctor visit fees that normally accompany YAG laser capsulotomy.

StateName Average Cash Price
$1,035
$1,401
$1,171
$1,026
$1,285
$1,131
$1,238
$1,203
$1,192
$1,136
$1,065
$1,077
$1,047
$1,188
$1,084
$985
$1,020
$1,044
$1,158
$1,046
$1,232
$1,270
$1,169
$1,316
$1,053
$1,040
$1,082
$1,058
$1,118
$1,121
$1,358
$1,032
$1,278
$1,026
$1,140
$1,066
$1,141
$1,164
$1,201
$1,280
$1,093
$1,018
$1,027
$1,110
$1,157
$1,135
$1,105
$1,232
$1,105
$1,167
$1,136

YAG laser capsulotomy is a surgical procedure that may be needed after cataract surgery. Sometimes after cataract surgery, your vision will become blurry again. This happens if the area of the eye called the posterior capsule becomes cloudy. YAG laser capsulotomy will fix this and result in clear vision again.

YAG laser capsulotomy is a surgical procedure; however, it is most often performed outpatient. It may be done at a surgery center or in the doctor’s office. You’ll be monitored for an hour or two after the surgery before being released to recover at home.

YAG laser capsulotomy is generally a safe procedure. There are a few risks that can occur. These include:

  • Short term increase in eye pressures
  • Retinal detachment
  • Macular edema
  • Damage or displacement of the intraocular lens
  • Bleeding into the eye
  • Corneal edema

The recovery from YAG laser capsulotomy is rapid. You will not have any pain following the procedure and should see clearly within one to two days after the procedure. Most people can return to work the day after their surgery.

Immediately after the YAG procedure, you may note that your vision still seems blurry. This is a result of the dilating drops that are given for the procedure. Blurriness can last for four to six hours after the procedure but will improve within about one day.

Complications from YAG laser are infrequent, but side effects are possible. The most common side effect after the YAG laser is the development of floaters. These are tiny black spots or lines that may appear in your field of vision. Usually, floaters will go away within a few days. If they last longer, you will need to call your specialist. The most significant risk of YAG laser is a detached retina. Signs to watch for and notify your specialist of include:

  • Clouded vision
  • Floaters
  • A gray cloud in your field of vision
  • Shadows in your peripheral vision

It is possible to have YAG surgery more than once, but in general, only one procedure will be needed. Once the area of the capsule behind the lens is eliminated with the YAG laser, it does not return, and vision will remain clear.

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

The site is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice and does not serve as a recommendation for a particular provider or type of medical or healthcare.