Change in Central Macular Thickness after 2.2-mm Microincision Coaxial versus 2.75-mm Small Incision Cataract Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the central macular thickness and volume changes after conventional 2.75-mm small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and 2.2-mm microincision coaxial cataract surgery (MICS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 48 eyes undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification and divided the subjects into two groups, SICS and MICS. To evaluate the central macular thickness and volume changes after cataract surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used before and at one day, one week, one month, and two months postoperatively. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found in the intraoperative phacoemulsification power, phaco time, or volume of intraoperative irrigation solution between the two groups (p > 0.05). The average central macular thickness increased in the MICS group compared to the SICS group at every postoperative time point, and the difference was statistically significant at postoperative one month (p = 0.04). The average central macular volume was elevated in the MICS group; however, the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Central macular thickness and volume change were greater in the MICS group compared to the SICS group, and the difference in central macular thickness between the two groups was significant at postoperative one month. Careful follow-up examinations should be performed using OCT at this postoperative time point, especially in patients who received cataract surgery with smaller incision size.