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

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 mm. 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.