Central macular thickness change after uneventful small-incision cataract surgery - An observational study.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to diagnose CME with the help of optical coherence tomography (OCT) after uneventful cataract surgery to prevent visual deterioration.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 120 patients, who underwent manual small-incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens implantation. Follow-up was performed after the first week, sixth week, and 12 week post-operatively. Detailed examination was performed at each visit along with measurements of central macular thickness using OCT. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0.

RESULT

The mean age of the patients was 61.85 ± 11.41 years having female preponderance. The pre-operative mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was found to be 0.05 ± 0.04, whereas the mean post-operative BCVA was found to be 0.65 ± 0.17 at the first week, 0.66 ± 0.17 at the sixth week, and 0.67 ± 0.17 at the 12 week follow-up. The post-operative mean macular thicknesses at the first week, sixth week, and 12 week post-operatively were documented to be 221.66 ± 8.49 μm, 224.60 ± 8.75 μm, and 219.17 ± 8.22 μm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A sub-clinical increase in macular thickness occurs even after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The maximum increase was observed after 6 weeks of surgery, which returns to near normal values within 3 months. Comparison of central macular thicknesses pre-operatively and post-operatively at the first week, sixth week, and 12 week suggests a significant correlation.