Pseudophakic erythropsia.

BACKGROUND

Erythropsia is a temporary distortion of color vision where objects take on an abnormal reddish hue. Several drugs and disease conditions are associated with this acquired color anomaly. The following case reports identify one of these predisposing factors-pseudophakia.

METHODS

Two pseudophakic adult white males were examined on separate occasions following complaints of transient reddening of vision after being outdoors. One patient was a monocular pseudophake with a posterior chamber intraocular lens, while the other had bilateral anterior chamber implants. None of the intraocular lens implants involved were ultraviolet-absorbing.

RESULTS

Both patients were diagnosed with pseudophakic erythropsia. They were reassured and monitored routinely. At subsequent follow-up visits no recurrence of the symptoms was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanism of pseudophakic erythropsia remains obscure, but its association with exposure to high levels of ultraviolet light is well documented. While generally benign, its appearance may be disconcerting to the patient, and the use of additional ultraviolet protection can be recommended.