Evaluation of changes of anterior segment parameters in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome after cataract surgery using anterior segment optical coherence tomography

The aim of the study was to compare the anterior segment parameters after cataract surgery in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and control eyes. We conducted a prospective comparative study of 36 eyes (PEX group), 16 eyes (PEXG group) and 46 eyes (control group) of 98 patients after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Before surgery, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively, anterior chamber parameters were evaluated by swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), angle opening distance (AOD500/750), trabecular-iris space area (TISA500/750), trabecular-iris angle (TIA500/750) and lens vault (LV) were assessed at each study visit. Preoperatively, ACD, AOD500/750 and TISA500/750 were significantly smaller, while LV was significantly greater in PEX and PEXG eyes than in controls. 3 months postoperatively all irido-corneal parameters and ACD were significantly greater in all study groups without intergroup differences. ACD and LV significantly increased in PEX group between 1 and 3 months after surgery while being stable in control group. Relative increases in ACD, AOD500, TISA750, TIA500/750 were significantly higher in PEX and PEXG groups than in controls. Our study finds that ACD and iridocorneal parameters in AS-OCT demonstrated significantly greater relative increases 3 months after phacoemulsification in PEX and PEXG groups than in control eyes. Significantly greater deepening of anterior chamber and opening of the irido-corneal angle may be a reason for different refractive outcomes and IOP control in patients with PEX and PEXG after routine cataract surgery.