Incidence of dysphotopsia following uneventful cataract surgery [phacoemulsification] in patients implanted with different types of monofocal intraocular lenses

Background and objectives: Pseudophakic dysphotopsia is one of the major causes of patient dissatisfaction after cataract surgery. Our aim was to assess the incidence of dysphotopsia after phacoemulsification with implantation of three types of monofocal intraocular lenses. Methods: This prospective clinical study which contained 200 eyes from 195 patients was done at Dr. Aso eye hospital in Sulaimania city between June 2022 to June 2023. Those 200 eyes (participants) were divided into three different groups according to their IOL types were followed-up for 6 months to estimate the incidence and symptoms of dysphotopsia. Results: overall incidence of dysphotopsia was (22%). 34 cases (17%) reported their symptoms in the first three weeks of follow-up. This figure decreased to (4% and 1%) after 3 and 6 months, respectively. The most common phenomenon noted was temporal shadow/darkness; declared by 34.09% of patients who reported dysphotopsia. Optical phenomena occurred more frequently in patients with Acryfold lens group. The great majority of the patients (94.5%) were satisfied with their post-operative visual function. Both, overall incidence of dysphotopsia and its higher rate in the 1st group (Acryfold) were statistically significant values (p= 0.0399 and 0.0418), respectively. Conversely, there was no statistically significant difference between Rayner and Acrysof lenses in terms of dysphotopsia occurrence (p-value= 0.053). Conclusion: Although monofocal intraocular lenses showed significant rates of dysphotopsia, they were still associated with high patient satisfaction level because majority of the symptoms were mild and went away with time.