Macular thickness increases after cataract surgery

Macular thickness significantly increases up to six months after uncomplicated cataract surgery, according to an investigation featured in the journal Eye.

Dr M. Gharbiya et al., Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University, Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy, conducted a prospective, non-randomized, clinical study on 40 patients undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification with fellow eyes used as controls.

OCT measurements were gathered before surgery and postoperatively at day 1, week 1 and 2 and month 1, 2, 3 and 6. The retinal map was split into central point thickness (CPT), central 1 mm subfield (CSF) and two peripheral ring areas with diametres of 3 and 6 mm.

Retinal thickness change between the fellow and operated eyes were compared using unpaired t-test and correlations were assessed using the Spearman or Pearson analysis.

The results revealed a progressive significant increase in retinal thickness in the operated eyes compared to the fellow eyes, peaking at one month for the 3 mm and 6 mm areas and at 2 months for CPT and CSF.

At six months retinal thickness was still significantly thicker than fellow eyes, but only in the peripheral areas. No significant correlations were recorded between macular thickness changes and preoperative factors, intraoperative factors or BCVA change. The most significant findings was the regional pattern of retinal thickening with an early involvement of the parafoveal area.

Please click here to read the abstract.