A Study on Central Macular Thickness Changes in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Phacoemulsification

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aims to assess central macular thickness (CMT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic patientsbefore and after phacoemulsification.Materials and Methods: A prospective study on 90 diabetic patients conducted from February 2018 to February 2019, whowere all operated for cataract by phacoemulsification. Complete ophthalmological evaluation was done preoperatively. CMTwas measured preoperatively using spectral-domain (SD) OCT. Patients were followed at the 1st post-operative day and at 1, 4,and 6 weeks postoperatively. OCT was done during the 6th week of post-operative period.Results: The mean central 1 mm subfield macular thickness, preoperatively and 6th week postoperatively was 205.12 ± 24.85 µmand 212.79 ± 28.29 µm, respectively. The difference between pre-operative and 6th week post-operative CSMT was significantin all the three groups (no diabetic retinopathy (DR), mild non-proliferative DR [NPDR], and moderate NPDR) (P = 0.001).Conclusion: SD-OCT detected statistically significant increase in mean CMT at 6-week postoperatively in diabetic patientsundergoing phacoemulsification. Precise surgical technique, in the bag implantation of intraocular lens and good post-operativecare, blood sugar control reduces the occurrence of macular edema, resulting in good visual outcome.