Evaluation of macular edema after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery with implantation of intraocular lens by spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Purpose: To evaluate macular edema after uncomplicated phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Prospective study was conducted in 62 eyes of patients underwent phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens. Patients were evaluated before surgery and after surgery at day 1, week 1, week 2 and week 4. Visual acuity (VA), anterior chamber cells and 200x200 macular cube optical coherence tomography were measured. Results: After phacoemulsification there was an improvement in visual acuity, decreasing inflammation, and increased macular thickness and macular volume. There was one case of cystoid macular edema. There was a weak inverse correlation between visual acuity and central macular thickness, and between visual acuity and macular volume. We observed a week direct correlation between inflammation and macular volume. Conclusion: Subclinical macular edema develops even after uncomplicated cataract surgery in patients not predisposed. The spectral domain optical coherence tomography was able to detect small increases in macular thickness in the study period.