Central Macular Thickness in Uneventful Phacoemulsification Employing Optical Coherence Tomography

Abstract

Introduction: Cataract is the most common cause of blindness affecting the global population which can be cured by phacoemulsification surgery. The study aimed to evaluate the central macular thickness following uneventful phacoemulsification surgery and analyze its relation to various factors.

Methods: This prospective study comprised of 63 subjects diagnosed as age-related cataract on the basis of lens opacities classification system III and undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification surgery with capsular bag intraocular lens implantation. The central macular thickness was evaluated using optical coherence tomography at preoperative period and postoperatively on 1st day, 1st week and 5th week. Effective phacoemulsification time was measured intraoperatively.

Results: The mean effective phacoemulsification time was 17.95±14.01 seconds. Best corrected visual acuity improved significantly postoperatively (p=0.03). Mean central macular thickness increased significantly on the 5th postoperative week compared to preoperative assessment (p=0.002). No significant association was detected between patient’s age and preoperative and postoperative central macular thickness. No correlations were observed between effective phacoemulsification time and central macular thickness. Significant association was not noted between central macular thickness and best corrected visual acuity on pre and postoperative examinations.

Conclusion: There was a decrease in central macular thickness on the 1st day and 1st week postoperatively followed by a significant increase on the 5th postoperative week compared to the preoperative period, which was independent of effective phacoemulsification time. Increase in central macular thickness in the postoperative period did not affect the quality of vision.