Dysphotopsia after cataract surgery

Dysphotopsia after cataract surgery is an undesirable optical phenomena experienced subjectively by the patient. There are positive dysphotopsia (PD) and negative dysphotopsia (ND). In PD, the patient perceives halos, flashes, and streaks; while in ND he perceives a fixed temporal peripheral shadowing. we investigate occurrence of this complication in our daily practice by systematically searching for subjective signs of dysphotopsia among 500 patients operated for uneventful cataract surgery. We found 5 cases of dysphotopsias among 500 patients operated for uneventful cataract surgery, they all were managed conservatively with resolution of symptoms. we discuss physiopathology and available treatment approaches ranging from observation, and non-surgical treatments which include conservative, pharmacological myosis, optical correction, ocular surface problems treatment, and ocular occlusion to surgical treatments which include: Yag laser capsulotomy, inverted capsular capture, intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, piggyback IOL placement, IOL nasal edge truncation, and IOL rotation. Cataract surgery is becoming a mainstream surgery from which the patient expect full satisfaction. dysphotopsia can be source of frustration both for the patient and the surgeon. A perfect knowledge of this complication will allow to improve management and prevention of this particular source of post-operative complaints.