Negative Dysphotopsia: An Overview

‘Dysphotopsia’ describes an adverse effect from cataract surgery, which can either be categorised as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’. Positive dysphotopsias refer to bright artefacts of light, often in the form of flashes, glares or haloes of light, which are most commonly located centrally or in the periphery. Conversely, negative dysphotopsias denote a temporal shadow, which is dark in character and typically arc-shaped (1). Despite not being an inflammatory or painful adverse effect of cataract surgery, dysphotopsias can be particularly bothersome to patients, and result in great anxiety and dissatisfaction post-operatively. Hence, this article aims to provide an insight into the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of negative dysphotopsia to aid the clinician in counselling on this side effect pre-operatively and managing it if required.