The influence of preoperative counselling on the incidence and the adaptation of postoperative dysphotopsia

Abstract

Dysphotopsia, also known as the post-operative edge effect, is a common complication that can occur after cataract surgery. It is characterized by the perception of abnormal visual sensations. While the exact cause of dysphotopsia is not definitively established, it is widely accepted that the resolution of this issue is primarily achieved through neuroadaptation.This study has focused on the impact of preoperative counselling on the post-operative adaptation to dysphotopsia. By explaining the possibility and the nature of dysphotopsia to patients preoperatively (phacoemulsification), the study found that it significantly increases the rate of adaptation to dysphotopsia after surgery. Importantly, this counselling did not change the incidence of dysphotopsia, but it did improve patients’ ability to adapt to these abnormal visual sensations postoperatively.