Central macular thickness change after uneventful small-incision cataract surgery - An observational study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to diagnose CME with the help of optical coherence tomography (OCT) after uneventful cataract surgery to prevent visual deterioration. Methods: This study was conducted on 120 patients, who underwent manual small-incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens implantation. Follow-up was performed after the first week, sixth week, and 12th week post-operatively. Detailed examination was performed at each visit along with measurements of central macular thickness using OCT. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. Result: The mean age of the patients was 61.85 � 11.41 years having female preponderance. The pre-operative mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was found to be 0.05 � 0.04, whereas the mean post-operative BCVA was found to be 0.65 � 0.17 at the first week, 0.66 � 0.17 at the sixth week, and 0.67 � 0.17 at the 12th week follow?up. The post-operative mean macular thicknesses at the first week, sixth week, and 12th week post?operatively were documented to be 221.66 � 8.49 ?m, 224.60 � 8.75 ?m, and 219.17 � 8.22 ?m, respectively. Conclusion: A sub-clinical increase in macular thickness occurs even after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The maximum increase was observed after 6 weeks of surgery, which returns to near normal values within 3 months. Comparison of central macular thicknesses pre-operatively and post-operatively at the first week, sixth week, and 12th week suggests a significant correlation