CHANGES IN CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT PSEUDOPHAKIC CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA

Purpose: To investigate choroidal thickness in eyes with clinically significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) during the acute phase and following resolution of the edema, using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: This is a retrospective, observational clinical study. Patients' records were reviewed for cases of clinically significant PCME after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. Choroidal thickness was measured at time of PCME diagnosis in both eyes and after CME resolution in the affected eye using enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering). Measurements were taken subfoveal and 1.5 mm nasal, temporal, inferior, and superior from the center of the fovea. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and Pearson correlation. Results: Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness in 34 eyes with PCME measured 258 +/- 83 mu m at baseline and decreased to 215 +/- 79 mu m after CME resolution (P < 0.001). Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness measured at baseline in fellow eyes was significantly lower (194 +/- 77 mu m) compared to acute PCME (P < 0.001) and after CME resolution (P = 0.011). Conclusion: Choroidal thickness is increased in eyes with PCME and decreases following edema resolution. These findings may strengthen the hypothesis of an inflammatory pathogenesis in PCME.