Author: Orhan Altunkaya (Turkey)
Co-authors: Hamiyet Pekel, Gülfidan Bitirgen, Ahmet Özkağnıcı
Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in central macular thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in subjects who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation.
Setting/Venue
This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
Methods
Forty-four eyes of 30 subjects (30 male and 14 female) who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation were enrolled in this study. Patients with any other systemic and ocular disease that could potentially confound results, such as diabetes mellitus, uveitis, or any retinal pathology, were excluded. Central macular thickness was analyzed preoperatively and 2, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively using an SD-OCT device (Spectralis OCT, Heidelberg, Germany). The macular scans were performed at a 6x6 mm area centered on the fovea, consisting of 25 horizontal axial scans. Central macular thickness was defined as the average thickness at the central 1-mm-diameter zone. The preoperative macular OCT scans were set as reference for the follow-up measurements.
Results
The mean age of the subjects was 66.7 ± 8.7 years. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved at all postoperative visits compared to the preoperative examination (P < 0.001 for all). The mean central macular thickness preoperatively and 2, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively was 268.6 ± 29.9 µm, 269.3 ± 25.7 µm, 275.9 ± 33.8 µm, and 274.9 ± 37.0 µm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in central macular thickness at the postoperative 2 weeks visit compared to the preoperative measurements (P = 0.536), however, significant increases were observed at the 4 weeks and 12 weeks visits (P < 0.001 for both). No significant difference was observed in the central macular thickness change among male and female subjects. There were no statistically significant correlations between the change in central macular thickness and age of the subjects or the change in BCVA.
Conlusions
This study demonstrated an increase in central macular thickness 4 and 12 weeks after uncomplicated cataract surgery in otherwise healthy subjects. Nevertheless, these changes were asymptomatic and did not correlate with BCVA change.
Financial Disclosure
No financial relations
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