Retrospective Analysis of Negative Dysphotopsia After Cataract Surgery

<i>Purpose</i>: To describe the incidence and characteristics of negative dysphotopsia (ND) as well as the risk factors contributing to it. <i>Methods</i>: For this retrospective study, data from patients who underwent cataract surgery between January 2018 and December 2019 at our department (Department of Ophthalmology, Hietzing Hospital, Vienna, Austria) was analyzed. A total of 8122 eyes had cataract surgery performed. Three different intraocular lenses (IOLs) have been used (EyeCee® One by Bausch + Lomb, TECNIS® by Johnson & Johnson, HOYA Vivienx ™ by HOYA). Data from patients who postoperatively complained about ND as well as data from a gender and age-matched control group (34 eyes in each) was further analyzed: pupil size, axial length, anterior chamber depth, angle kappa, IOL power and other biometrical factors. The scotomas were depicted on a Harms tangent screen. <i>Results</i>: An incidence of 1.99% of ND was found, of which 1.58% was transient and 0.42% persistent. The average duration of the symptoms was 5.40 (±6.15) weeks in the transient ND group. In the total cohort of 8122 eyes, there was no difference in the distribution of implanted IOL types or IOL power; neither played the surgeon a significant role in the development of ND. There was no significant difference between ND and control eyes regarding pupil size, axial length, and angle kappa. The anterior chamber was significantly shallower in the ND group: 5.1±0.58mm vs. 5.41±0.61mm (p=0.03). <i>Conclusion</i>: According to our findings, a shallower anterior chamber poses a risk to the development of ND.