[Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic Findings in Systemic Lupus erythematosus in Patients Treated with Chloroquine]. / Ergebnisse spektraler optischer Kohärenztomografie bei den mit Chloroquin behandelten Patienten mit systemischem Lupus erythematodes.

PURPOSE: To recognise possible retinal changes in patients with SLE treated with chloroquine phosphate, as depending on the duration of treatment. METHODS: The study included 41 patients (82 eyes) who received treatment for SLE with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine phosphate and had not previously been diagnosed with retinal pathology. Participants were divided into two groups according to the duration of treatment. The first group included 18 patients (36 eyes) treated for up to five years and the second group consisted of 23 patients (46 eyes) treated from five to twenty years. We performed a thorough eye exam, including best-corrected visual acuity, colour vision, visual field examination, dilated fundus examination, autofluorescence imaging, color fundus photography and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Mean duration of treatment in the first group was 2.79 ± 1.37 years, and in the second group 8.67 ± 2.26 years. The difference in central retinal thickness between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Comparison of parafoveal thickness between the two groups was statistically non-significant in all quadrants (p > 0.05). Visual field examination, autofluorescence images and colour fundus photographs were without noteworthy pathology. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that there were no significant changes in retinal structure between groups that depended on the duration of treatment. Hence, we can conclude that a yearly follow-up of these patients is sufficient to discover possible preclinical maculopathy.

Influence of cataract surgery on macular thickness: a 6-month follow-up.

PURPOSE: To determine long-term changes in macular thickness after cataract surgery. METHODS: Research work included 27 patients (27 eyes) who underwent uneventful cataract surgery with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation on one eye. Optical coherence tomography was used to obtain data of macular thickness before surgery and for patients who attended scheduled control measurement 1 month (22 patients), 3 months (23 patients), and 6 months (20 patients) after the surgery. RESULTS: The greatest increase in average macular thickness was seen 1 month after cataract surgery, statistically significant in all areas except in fovea and superior quarter of macula. Statistically significant decrease in macular thickness was noticed 3 and 6 months after the surgery. Comparison of macular thickness 6 months after cataract surgery and values before surgery showed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Findings confirmed the reversibility of macular thickness changes 6 months after cataract surgery and its return to preoperative values.