ALTERATIONS IN CENTRAL MACULAR THICKNESS AFTER UNCOMPLICATED PHACOEMULSIFICATION CATARACT SURGERY AND INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTATION

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluation of central macular thickness changes with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Methods: 44 eyes of 30 patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were included in this study. Central macular thickness measurements were performed preoperatively and postoperative 2nd week, 1st and 3rd months with optical coherence tomography. Central macular thickness values were measured at the central 1x1 mm area obtained from fovea centered 6x6 mm macular map in the OCT measurements. Preoperative values were compared with the values in the postoperative period. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.7 ± 8.7 years. The mean central macular thickness values were 268.5 µm preoperatively, 269.3 µm 2 weeks after surgery, 275.9 µm 1 month after surgery and 274.9 µm 3 months after surgery. There was no statistically significant change in the postoperative two weeks period compared with the preoperative measurements. (p = 0.536). Compared to the preoperative values, central macular thickness significantly increased 1 month and 3 months after the surgery. There was a statistically significant change in central macular thickness measurements at 1st month(p < 0.001) and 3rd months (p < 0.001) compared with the preoperative values. Conclusions: Our data indicate that an increase in central macular thickness is not rare after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Compared to the preoperative measurements we have demonstrated an increase in central macular thickness in the postoperative period.