Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Changes after Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation

Objective: To determine the changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer as measured on optical coherence tomography (OCT) after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from March 2017 to April 2018. Methodology: All patients (n=64) diagnosed with cataract and requiring surgery were included in study. Patients having any coexisting ocular pathology hindering the OCT measurement, i.e. corneal opacity, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment etc. were excluded from study. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was measured in four quadrants. Signal strength on OCT was also documented. Preoperatively, visual acuity was measured, OCT performed, and the findings were recorded on a designed proforma. Postoperatively, the patients followed up after one month for visual acuity and OCT measurement. Results: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was increased postoperatively as measured on OCT as did the signal strength. The increase was statistically significant (p <0.001). Conclusion: Removal of cataract by surgery enhances the OCT measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer, resulting in increased thickness.