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How Common Is Dysphotopsia (Positive or Negative) After Cataract Surgery?

Dysphotopsia is fairly common soon after cataract surgery, though the reported rate varies depending on how researchers define it and when patients are asked about symptoms. Positive dysphotopsia has been reported in up to 67% of patients early after surgery, while negative dysphotopsia has been reported in up to 26%. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also notes that as many as 49% of patients notice some degree of dysphotopsia in the early postoperative period. The good news is that long-lasting cases are far less common, with persistent positive dysphotopsia reported at about 2.2% after a year and persistent negative dysphotopsia usually falling around 0.13% to 3%.

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How Common Is Dysphotopsia (Positive or Negative) After Cataract Surgery?

Dysphotopsia is fairly common soon after cataract surgery, though the reported rate varies depending on how researchers define it and when patients are asked about symptoms. Positive dysphotopsia has been reported in up to 67% of patients early after surgery, while negative dysphotopsia has been reported in up to 26%. The American Academy of Ophthalmology also notes that as many as 49% of patients notice some degree of dysphotopsia in the early postoperative period. The good news is that long-lasting cases are far less common, with persistent positive dysphotopsia reported at about 2.2% after a year and persistent negative dysphotopsia usually falling around 0.13% to 3%.

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Why Dysphotopsia Can Happen After Cataract Surgery

Dysphotopsia can happen after cataract surgery because the new intraocular lens changes how light enters and bends inside the eye. Lens shape, edge design, material, pupil size, and the position of the lens can all affect whether stray light creates unwanted visual effects. Positive dysphotopsia is tied more to added light phenomena like glare or arcs, while negative dysphotopsia is linked more to a dark shadow in the peripheral field. In other words, the symptoms usually come from the optical behavior of the implanted lens rather than from the cataract surgery incision itself.

Common Symptoms of Positive and Negative Dysphotopsia

Common symptoms of positive dysphotopsia include glare, halos, light streaks, flashes, arcs, or starburst-like effects, especially in certain lighting conditions. Negative dysphotopsia is different. It is usually described as a dark crescent, shadow, or temporal dark area in the peripheral vision. Positive dysphotopsia adds unwanted light effects, while negative dysphotopsia feels more like something is missing or blocked at the edge of vision.

Does Dysphotopsia Go Away Over Time?

Yes, dysphotopsia often improves over time, especially in the early months after cataract surgery. Reviews suggest that many early symptoms fade as the brain adapts, which is one reason persistent cases are much less common than immediate postoperative complaints. For positive dysphotopsia, persistent symptoms at 1 year have been reported in about 2.2% of cases. For negative dysphotopsia, studies report persistence in roughly 0.13% to 3% of patients at 1 year.

What Dysphotopsia Can Look Like in Daily Life

After cataract surgery, positive dysphotopsia often shows up as extra light effects rather than blur. Some people notice bright rings, flare, spark-like reflections, or light streaks, especially around headlights and other strong light sources. Negative dysphotopsia tends to feel more like missing vision at the edge, often described as a dark curved area off to the side rather than a bright visual effect. In everyday life, that can make night driving, moving through dim spaces, or adjusting between lighting conditions feel uncomfortable even when the cataract operation itself went well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dysphotopsia

Can dysphotopsia happen in just one eye?

Yes. Some people notice it in only one eye, especially if only one eye has had cataract surgery or the symptoms are stronger on one side.

Can both positive and negative dysphotopsia happen in the same person?

Yes. A person can notice more than one type of visual disturbance after cataract surgery.

Does dysphotopsia usually go away on its own?

Often, yes. Reviews note that many cases become less noticeable over time as the brain adapts, although some people continue to notice bothersome symptoms for longer and may need follow-up care.

When should you call your eye surgeon about dysphotopsia?

You should check back if the glare, arcs, or side shadow feel severe, do not improve, or start interfering with driving, reading, or other daily tasks. Persistent symptoms can sometimes need further evaluation to rule out lens position issues or other causes of postoperative visual disturbance.

References

Dysphotopsias or Unwanted Visual Phenomena After Cataract Surgery. Life.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/1/53. Published date not listed. Accessed April 20, 2026.

Dysphotopsias or Unwanted Visual Phenomena after Cataract Surgery. Life (Basel). Published 2022.

Management of Positive and Negative Dysphotopsia Postcataract Surgery: A Literature Review. Taiwan Journal of Ophthalmology. Published 2025.

Pseudophakic Dysphotopsia. Review of Incidence, Cause, and Treatment of Positive and Negative Dysphotopsia. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32800744/. Accessed April 20, 2026.