Description

We describe visual perceptions of a patient presenting with complaints of uniocular horizontal distortion and binocular central diplopia secondary to an epiretinal membrane (figure 1B,C). A pars plana vitrectomy, epiretinal and internal limiting membrane peel (double peel) was performed. Postvitrectomy, his central vision was distorted and pinkish (figure 1D). This improved, but he subsequently developed a cataract which caused a ‘corona effect’ and difference in colour perception (figure 1G). He underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation and then described his vision becoming ‘blue tinged’ (figure 1F). He then complained of ‘diagnonal flare’ with night driving. (figure 1E). This was attributed to posterior capsular thickening and he underwent laser posterior capsulotomy. The patient captured his perception of visual problems with the help of a camera and digital picture editing software.

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Figure 1

(A) Unaffected eye view. (B) Perception with affected eye before vitrectomy. (C) Binocular central distortion before vitrectomy. (D) Immediate postvitrectomy. (E) ‘diagonal flare’ described by patient after cataract surgery (due to posterior capsular opacification). (F) Current situation. (G) Before cataract surgery. (H) After cataract surgery.

This is a rare patient perspective of visual problems starting with a vitreoretinal procedure and the subsequent visual experience after multiple ocular procedures. Patients undergoing a pars plana vitrectomy often develop a cataract, which then necessitates cataract surgery.1 Nd-YAG laser capsulotomy may also be required in patients after cataract surgery.2

Visual perceptions have occasionally been documented by patients interested in the arts.3 With digital imaging and image manipulation by computer softwares becoming more common, patients can now express their visual problems in different formats. Pictures such as these may help treating ophthalmologists and primary care physicians understand the patient’s visual problems and may also help other patients undergoing similar problems and procedures.