We report on a 36-year-old man who developed photic maculopathy in the left eye shortly after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The visual acuity (VA) of the left eye was 6/39 and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), performed one week after surgery, revealed a hyporeflective space in the outer retina (a 'partial-thickness hole') at the fovea. Microperimetry showed a relative central scotoma and multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) showed reduced responses within the central 10°. Two months later, VA in the felt eye improved to 6/6 and SD-OCT showed an almost complete resolution of the 'partial-thickness hole'. Microperimetry showed the resolution of the relative scotoma at the fovea and multifocal ERG showed improved responses within the central 10°. SD-OCT, microperimetry and multifocal ERG are useful tools in the diagnosis and follow-up of photic maculopathy after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Its natural history may be characterised by resolution of both morphological and functional changes shortly after surgery.
Keywords: cataract; microperimetry; multifocal ERG; photic maculopathy; solar maculopathy; spectral domain optical coherence tomography; surgery.
© 2013 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Optometry © 2013 Optometrists Association Australia.