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Negative dysphotopsia is a potential complication of cataract surgery. It typically manifests as a dark, crescent-shaped arc or shadow that hovers just outside of the direct line of sight (peripheral vision).
It is relatively common, affecting up to 12% of people post-surgery. But does that mean you have to put up with it for life? Will it go away over time or, if not, is there a fix? Read on to discover whether negative dysphotopsia is a cataract surgery nightmare or more of an annoying (and treatable) post-op occurrence.
For many years, the cause of negative dysphotopsia was unclear. It was known that it was related to the intraocular lens (IOL) and how much it caused light entering the eye to bend (refract). While it’s still an area under much research, one common belief is that it occurs when light rays entering the eye create a gap, with some missing the new IOL and others passing through it. It’s this gap that causes the shadow.
Some people are more predisposed to developing it after surgery than others, especially those who have a smaller pupil.
However, the reason that negative dysphotopsia has such a bad rap is that there’s no definitive way for surgeons to say who will suffer. Indeed, even if you’ve had one successful cataract operation, it doesn’t mean that it won’t happen when the second eye is treated (and vice versa).
Although the condition occurs in around 12% of patients, it generally fades in the first few months after surgery. By 12 months post-op, this figure is reduced to about 3%. For this very reason, those who present with the condition are usually told, at first, to wait and see if it resolves.
This can be very worrying, especially if your vision has dramatically improved in all other respects and you’ve been signed off by your surgeon—and yet another reason why the side effect is surrounded by such dread.
One positive is that if the problem is less noticeable in certain lighting, there’s a high probability that it will improve on its own. Other people learn to live with it—but for some, if it’s still causing a problem after 12 months, then further action may be needed.
Multiple options exist, all of which involve shifting the IOL forwards. There are different ways to do this, including:
The condition has developed an unsavory reputation, mainly because of the lack of knowledge that still surrounds it. The area is still very much under research, but cataract experts are slowly beginning to better understand the condition.
In reality, most people find that if they do suffer, it fades over time. This could be due to the brain adapting to the shadowy area or simply that the body takes a while to settle after the procedure. For those in whom it persists and causes a problem, consulting a surgeon who specializes in the latest treatments can often lead to a successful resolution.
Dr. Brent Bellotte, founder and lead at the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic, is known across the world for his expertise in all things cataract. He’s dedicated his professional career to the advancement of cataract complications and complex cases are regularly referred to him. This includes having an intimate knowledge and ability to perform cutting-edge strategies to reduce or cure negative dysphotopsia that hasn’t reduced over time.
Discover more at https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com and call today to schedule a consultation.
