Light-induced maculopathy.

In this retrospective study of fluorescein angiograms performed between 1991 and 1995, we retrieved 17 eyes (15 patients) with light-induced maculopathy after a cataract extraction and lens implantation. Sixteen eyes underwent non-complicated procedures; 12 extracapsular cataract extractions and 4 phaco-emulsifications. One phaco-emulsification was complicated by a posterior capsular rupture and required an anterior vitrectomy. In 11 eyes the maculopathy was an incidential finding and the lesions were paracentral. In 6 eyes the phototoxic scar was central and the cause of a central scotoma with metamorphopsia.