Macular thickness changes evaluated with spectral domain optical coherence tomography after uncomplicated phacoemulsification

Abstract

Purpose: To determine macular thickness changes after uncomplicated cataract surgery using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: This was a prospective non-randomized, clinical study. Data were analysed for 40 healthy patients undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification. OCT measurements were performed before surgery and postoperatively at day 1, week 1 and 2, and month 1, 2, 3, and 6. The retinal map was divided into central point thickness (CPT), central 1-mm subfield (CSF), and two peripheral ring areas with diameters of 3 and 6 m. Fellow eyes were used as controls. Retinal thickness change between the operated and fellow eyes were compared using unpaired t-test. Correlations were analysed using the Spearman or the Pearson analysis.

Results: There was a progressive significant increase in retinal thickness of the operated eyes compared with the fellow eyes, with a peak at 1 month (P<0.0001) for the 3- and 6-mm areas and a peak at 2 months for CPT and CSF (P=0.01 and P<0.0001, respectively). At 6 months, retinal thickness was still significantly increased only in the peripheral areas (P<0.0001). There was no significant correlation between macular thickness changes and preoperative factors (age, axial length, anterior chamber depth, posterior vitreous detachment, best-corrected visual acuity), intraoperative factors (length of surgery, effective phaco time, phaco energy) or BCVA change.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated a significant increase in macular thickness up to 6 months after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The most important finding was the regional pattern of retinal thickening with an early involvement of the parafoveal area.

Figure 1

Macular thickness changes after uncomplicated phacoemulsification in a healthy population. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change in operated eyes and controls. (*, significant increase of BCVA between operated and fellow eyes; error bars indicate SD).