5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  A postoperative cataract patient may report poor visual quality despite 20/20 Snellen acuity, with symptoms including glare, halos, fluctuating vision, and dysphotopsia.

• 2

  The AAO 2026 panel recommended a systematic evaluation of ocular surface, corneal, refractive, optical, and IOL-related causes before considering further intervention.

• 3

  Dry eye disease, meibomian gland dysfunction, epithelial basement membrane dystrophy, and tear-film instability can impair visual quality and affect biometry.

• 4

  Residual refractive error, anisometropia, monovision intolerance, spectacle dependence, and unmet expectations may contribute to dissatisfaction after cataract surgery.

• 5

  IOL-related causes include dysphotopsia, tilt, decentration, and capsular factors; surgical options discussed included IOL exchange and reverse optic capture.