Diagnosis and treatment of mysterious light streaks seen by patients following extracapsular cataract extraction.

Complaints of light streaks, such as might be seen with a Maddox rod or Bagolini lens, are becoming more common with the trend toward extracapsular cataract surgery. The light streaks are usually a result of high plus cylinders somewhere in the patient's optical system. Windshields, spectacles, contact lenses, lashes, an excessive tear meniscus, intraocular lens scratches, and posterior capsular opacification are possible causes that can be easily identified and treated.