Optical coherence tomography of pseudophakic eyes after primary posterior capsulorhexis in pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Abstract

Purpose to study vitreolenticular interface (VLI) and central retinal thickness after primary posterior capsulorhexis (PPC) in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). Material and methods. We conducted a dynamic OCT-evaluation of the macular morphology (47 cases) and of the VLI (39 cases) in patients with PEX in early and long term period after uncomplicated cataract surgery with PPC. In the long term period a comparative OCT-evaluation of the macula was performed in 129 patients with PEX (159 eyes) in different groups: after phacoemulsification with and without PPC, after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for secondary cataract, and in the control group of non-operated eyes. Results. The OCT-evaluation made it possible to visualize two significant features of VLI after PPC intact anterior hyaloid and restoration of the capsule barrier. It took 38 days for full adhesion. Secondary cataract in the PPC area was detected in one case in the long-term period. Dynamic OCT-evaluation of the macula in the main group revealed a statistically unreliable increase in the macular thickness (3.4%) in post-op period at 13 months with subsequent regression. Such changes were within the limits of physiological norm. In the remote period, comparative OCT-evaluation of the macula in different groups did not reveal statistically significant differences with the control group. Conclusion. OCT-evaluation at different post-op terms revealed the formation of stable vitreolenticular relationships and absence of clinically significant macular edema. Secondary cataract in the PPC area was detected only in one case.