Deepika Lohani1 , Govind Singh Titiyal2 , Nitin Mehrotra3
BACKGROUND Phacoemulsification for cataract is the standard surgery in recent times with very good results and least complications. Macular area is the most important part of the retina, which is very sensitive for any type of insult on the Eye. It takes different durations for the macula to return to normal condition after phacoemulsification. We wanted to evaluate the macular thickness change occurring after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery in postoperative period by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS In this prospective study, a total of 100 patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery were evaluated. Complete ophthalmological examination was done preoperatively. Patients were followed on day 7, week 4 and week 8 postoperatively. At each visit a complete ophthalmological examination was done and optical coherence tomography of macula was performed. RESULTS In the current study, we found a significant subclinical increase in central macular thickness at postoperative week 1, week 4 and week 8. Cystoid macular oedema was not noted in any of the patients. A statistically significant increase in foveal volume was observed on day 7, week 4 and week 8 (p value 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There was increase in central macular thickness and foveal volume after the uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery on day 7, week 4, and week 8 postoperatively. The increase in macular thickness was sub-clinical and did not affect final visual outcome in any patient. Further evaluation is required to trace its return to preoperative value.
