Macular Thickness Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography in a Healthy Population Before and After Uncomplicated Cataract Phacoemulsification Surgery

Vitreous hyper-reflective dots and the macular thickness after cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To assess the association between vitreous hyper-reflective dots (VHD) and the macular thickness changes following uneventful phacoemulsification.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations were performed preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively in patients undergoing cataract surgery. OCT images were analyzed for retinal central subfield thickness (CST) and preretinal VHDs. Surgeries were recorded for the assessment of lens fragments in the space of Berger.

RESULTS

111 eyes of 97 patient were enrolled of whom 69 (62.2%) were female. VHDs were seen in 25 eyes (22.5%) at week 1; in 21 eyes (18.9%) at month 1 and in 3 eyes (2.7%) at month 3. In all eyes with VHDs retro-capsular lens fragments were visible immediately after phacoemulsification. The number of VHDs significantly decreased over the postoperative period. There was a moderate correlation between the number of VHDs and CST at 1 month (r = 0.426, p<0.001). In eyes with VHD the CST averaged 238.8±17.6 μm (214-266) at 1 week; 276.1±63.5 μm (231-481) at 1 month and 285.1±122.3 μm (227-785) at 3 months. In eyes with no detectable VHDs CST averaged 235.9±23.3 μm (192-311) at 1 week; 240.1±21.6 μm (200-288) at 1 month and 242.2±21.3 μm (205-289) at 3 months. Although the differences among the assessment points were relatively low, there was a significant difference in general (p<0.001, Friedman test).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, VHDs seem to cause macular thickening throughout the postoperative course. The origin of VHDs is still unknown; however, they presumably represent lens fragments that provoke subclinical inflammation.

The impact of surgeon's experience and sex on the incidence of cystoid macular edema after uneventful cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To assess the rate of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (pCME) in uneventful cataract surgery in surgeons in training vs experienced surgeons and to analyze the rate of pCME according to surgeon's sex.

METHODS

Medical reports post phacoemulsification between 2010 and 2018 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, were reviewed for pCME. A running lifetime number of preceding cataract surgeries was used to express hands-on experience. A cut-off number of 300 surgeries was defined to distinguish between surgeons in training and experienced surgeons. Outcome parameters were incidence of pCME, patient's sex and age, laterality of eye, coexistence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), duration of surgery and surgeon's sex.

RESULTS

25.422 surgeries on 18.266 patients were included. The majority was performed by experienced surgeons (23.139, 91.0%) vs 2.283 (9.0%) by surgeons in training (25 surgeons, 9 (36%) female and 16 (64%) male). pCME occurred in 32 eyes (1.4%) following surgery by surgeons in training and in 152 eyes (0.7%) following surgery by experienced surgeons. Chance for pCME was 1.57 higher in training surgeries (95% CI 1.03-2.41, p = 0.034) and longer duration (OR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07, p = 0.001). After excluding the first 100 surgeries for every surgeon in training similar results were observed. No difference in risk for pCME was found between female and male surgeons in both groups (training and experienced surgeons).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the rate for pCME after uneventful cataract surgery is significantly higher for surgeons in training but steadily decreasing and associated to surgical time. No difference in the risk for pCME was found between female and male surgeons.

Evaluation of Macular Thickness Changes after Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification Surgery in Healthy Subjects and Diabetic Patients without Retinopathy by Spectral Domain OCT

PURPOSE

To assess differences in the evolution of macular thickness after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery between non-diabetic subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) without diabetic retinopathy (DR), using Spectral Domain OCT (SD-OCT).

METHODS

We performed a unicentric prospective study including one hundred and thirty-one eyes of 70 patients divided into two groups-34 well-controlled DM patients without DR and 36 non-diabetic subjects-who underwent phacoemulsification for cataract surgery. Eyes that developed pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) were excluded from the study, leaving us with 64 patients. Macular thickness was analyzed using Cirrus HD-OCT (Macular Cube 512 × 128 protocol) preoperatively and on postoperative days 7, 30, 90, and 180. For cases with information available for both eyes, one eye was randomly selected for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 64 eyes from 64 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean value of HbA1c in the diabetic group was 7%. After uncomplicated cataract surgery, patients showed no increase of the foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal retinal thickness on postoperative day 7. However, thickness values increased on days 30, 90, and 180 after surgery in both groups, and peak at 90 days. There was no difference in macular thickness before or after surgery between DM and non-diabetic patients (p = 0.540).

CONCLUSION

Macular thickness increases up to 6 months after uncomplicated cataract surgery in both DM patients without DR and non-diabetic subjects, with no differences between increases in both groups.

Long-Term Variations in Retinal Parameters after Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery

Background: Cataract phacoemulsification surgery provides excellent refractive results; however, it also elicits changes in the posterior segment of the eye. This study aimed to determine changes in retinal parameters measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) after an uncomplicated cataract surgery, including the impact of effective phacoemulsification time (EPT). Methods: The study included 44 patients without retinal abnormalities, followed up after unilateral uncomplicated cataract phacoemulsification in a single ophthalmological unit. Patients were evaluated for the following parameters at baseline and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after the surgery: best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness (CRT), average central retinal thickness (CRTA), central retinal volume (cube volume (CV)), vessel density central (VDC), vessel density full (VDF), vessel perfusion central (VPC), and vessel perfusion full (VPF). The EPT recorded at each procedure was used as a covariant for the evaluation of changes in retinal parameters after the surgery. Analysis included 44 eyes for SD-OCT and 17 for OCTA evaluation, according to adopted scan quality thresholds. Results: A significant increase in CRT, CRTA, and CV was noted at each follow-up point compared with baseline. The rising tendency was observed in the first 3 months after the surgery, with a decline over the subsequent months. The VPF parameter showed a stable improvement after the surgery. The analysis of covariance did not confirm any significant effect of the EPT on variations in CRT, CV, CRTA, VDC, and VPF and there was a weak effect on the VDF parameter. Conclusions: Uncomplicated cataract surgery results in an increase in retinal thickness and volume in the first few months after the surgery, followed by a spontaneous decline in these parameters in the subsequent months. A long-standing improvement is noted in the VPF parameter.

Incidence of Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Oedema Post-Cataract Surgery in Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Australia

BACKGROUND

Post-operatively, cataract surgery is associated with pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCMO) causing vision disturbances. The presence of comorbidities may increase the incidence of PCMO post-cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This observational study aimed to assess the incidence of PCMO in Australia (Illawarra region) and identify risk factors for developing PCMO.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on data from patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation between 1st March and June 30, 2016. Demographics, comorbidities, central subfield thickness (CST), visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were collected preoperatively, day 1, and weeks 2, 4, and 6 post-operatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.27.0 and GraphPad Prism v.9.0. The median and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe data. Logistic regression and χ2 tests were used to describe the associations. We followed the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines.

RESULTS

Fifty right and 35 left cataract eyes were operated on (58.8% were females; average age 72.8 ± 8.146 years). Total PCMO incidence was 10.6%, and true PCMO incidence (removing PCMO risk factors) was 4.2% at week 6 post-operatively. CST was slightly increased between pre- and post-cataract surgery at week 4 (p = 0.002) and week 6 (p < 0.0001; median = 259 μm, 264 μm, and 263 μm, respectively). IOP was found to be decreased (p < 0.0001) compared to day 1 (median = 17 mm Hg) and week 6 (median = 13 mm Hg). The probability of developing PCMO (odds ratio [OR] = 3) and vitreomacular traction (OR = 2.9) was higher in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients and in patients >65 years old (OR = 1.5).

CONCLUSION

The true incidence of PCMO was found to be the greatest at 2-4 weeks post-operatively. Patients with diabetes or advanced age (>65 years) are at an elevated risk of developing PCMO after cataract surgery. The treatment regimens for the comorbid populations, especially diabetic patients, remain limited, and future efforts should target pharmaceutical management for these groups.

Retinal thickness and incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, receiving prostaglandin analogues

Background. Cataract is often associated with primary glaucoma. Prostaglandin analogues use is considered to be a risk factor for pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. Purpose. To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin analogues and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops on the central retinal thickness and the incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Materials and methods. 91 patients were enrolled in the study. 22 patients (22 eyes) were included in the first main group and 22 patients (22 eyes) were included in the second main groups. All patients in main groups had glaucoma and used prostaglandin analogues. 47 patients (57 eyes) without glaucoma were included in the control group. All patients were treated with topical antibiotics and steroids after phacoemulsification. Patients in the main second and in the control groups also received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops. The retinal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography 2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months after the operation. Results. After the operation, the foveal thickness in patients of the first and the second groups was increased, but it had returned to the preoperative level after 6 months in the first group and after 2 months in the second group. The retinal thickness in the fovea in the control group decreased after the surgery and it has been increasing gradually but did not achieve the preoperative value. Conclusion. Prostaglandin analogues use after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation does not affect the incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops after the surgery helps to achieve faster normalization of the central retinal thickness.

Chorioretinal Folds in the Trabeculectomized Eye with Normal Intraocular Pressure after Phacoemulsification

Background and Objectives: This case report discusses possible causes of chorioretinal fold (CRF) formation. Materials and Methods: A case report. Results: A 48-year-old man presented with a history of high myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma in both eyes. He underwent a trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification in both eyes. Two months later, he complained of blurred vision in the right eye. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17 mmHg in the left eye and 9 mmHg in the right eye. Refraction showed a hyperopic shift in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination showed a deep anterior chamber without cells and a well-functional bleb without leakage. Fundus examination revealed CRFs in the macula of the right eye. No papilledema, choroidal lesions, or other retinal lesions were found. Wrinkling of CRFs at the macula, an increase in central foveal thickness, and a fluid cleft were demonstrated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. After using steroid eye drops, the IOP in the right eye and refraction in both eyes recovered to the baseline level. Visual acuity improved in both eyes. Conclusions: CRFs in trabeculectomized eyes with normal IOP after phacoemulsification have not been reported. This case demonstrated that the trabeculectomized eye remains at risk of CRF formation, even if the IOP is normal without hypotony. The importance of a detailed fundus examination in patients with unexplained blurred vision may be necessary after having undergone these procedures. The early recognition of the cause of visual loss may facilitate immediate treatment and may avoid irreversible changes with permanent visual loss.

Visual outcomes after cataract surgery: topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug prophylaxis compared with prednisolone

PURPOSE

To compare visual outcomes in patients without a history of macular edema after phacoemulsification using combination topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug plus prednisolone with prednisolone alone.

SETTING

Kaiser Permanente Northern California, USA.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Information was obtained from the electronic health record. The first measure of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) recorded during the period 3 weeks to 1 year after phacoemulsification was obtained. Confounding factors and clustering of eyes within patients were adjusted using linear mixed effects regression models for the continuous outcome of CDVA improvement and general estimating equations for the dichotomous outcome of 20/20 or better vs 20/25 or worse.

RESULTS

The study included 62 700 health plan members of whom 26,309 (42%) used topical prednisolone alone, whereas 36,391 (58%) used combination treatment. The mean within-person change in CDVA from the preoperative measurement to the postoperative measurement was the same (-0.43 logMAR) for patients in the 2 groups. However, the group that received combination treatment was somewhat more likely to achieve CDVA of 20/20 or better (odds ratio 1.24 with 95% CI, 1.20-1.28).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large study of cataract surgery patients, a small statistically significant association of combination treatment compared with prednisolone alone was observed.

Clinical Observation of Phacoemulsification Combined with Intravitreal Injection of Conbercept in Cataract Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Aim

To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept in cataract patients with DME.

Methods

This is a prospective clinical cohort study. Thirty-five cataract patients (49 eyes) with DME were divided into two groups. The observation group (23 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.5 mg; the control group (26 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery only. The visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), IOP, and anterior chamber flare were examined before surgery and 1 week and one month after surgery.

Results

The UCVA and BCVA in Log MAR in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at 1 week (p=0.032; p=0.041) and 1 month (p=0.035; p=0.039), respectively, after the surgery. The CMT of the observation group changed from 492.7 ± 32.2 μm before surgery to 341.6 ± 59.9 μm one week after surgery and 374.8 ± 48.3 μm one month after surgery. The CMT of control group increased after surgery. There was no significant difference in IOP and flare between the two groups at all following times.

Conclusion

In patients with DME, undergoing a cataract surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept is safe and effective for visual improvement and CMT declination with relatively fewer IOP and flare fluctuation.

Comparison of macular thickness change by optical coherence tomography after uncomplicated cataract surgery in eyes with and without exfoliation syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of exfoliation syndrome (ES) on macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

METHODS

87 patients (87 eyes) who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery were included in the study. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) films were taken in addition to the routine ophthalmologic examination before the surgery and at postoperative 1st week, 1st, 3rd and 6th months. Mean macular thickness, central macular thickness and macular volume values obtained from the 6 × 6 mm macular map in the OCT measurements were recorded. The cases were divided into two groups as Group 1: cases without ES and Group 2: cases with ES. The macular values obtained from the OCT measurements of the two groups were compared with statistical methods.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven eyes were included in the study; while 51 had no ES (Group 1), 36 had ES (Group 2). The mean age of all cases was 66.70 ± 9.13 years. While the mean macular thickness, central macular thickness and macular volume were similar at the preoperative visit and the postoperative 1st week of all cases (each p value > 0.05); these values were higher at the postoperative 1st, 3rd and 6th month compared to the preoperative and the postoperative 1st week values (each p value < 0.05). The highest values were obtained at the postoperative 1st month; while the values of 1st, 3rd and 6th months were statistically similar (each p value > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of macular volume, central macular thickness and average macular thickness in these periods.

CONCLUSION

Exfoliation syndrome has not been evaluated as a risk factor for an increase in macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Effects of Topical Prostaglandin Analog on Macular Thickness Following Cataract Surgery with Postoperative Topical Bromfenac Treatment

Purpose: To evaluate changes in macular thickness in patients continuing prostaglandin analog (PGA) treatment during the perioperative period involving bromfenac treatment. Methods: Patients with glaucoma who were using a topical PGA were randomly assigned to two groups in this randomized controlled trial: PGA continuing study group and PGA discontinued glaucoma control group. Patients without ocular diseases other than cataract were enrolled into the non-glaucomatous group. After the cataract surgery, the patients used bromfenac twice per day for 4 weeks. Optical coherence tomography was performed in all patients preoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Changes in macular thickness were compared among the three groups. Results: There were 32 eyes in the study group, 33 eyes in the glaucoma control group, and 58 eyes in the non-glaucomatous group. We found statistically significant postoperative changes in central macular thickness in all groups (4.30 ± 8.01 μm in the PGA continuing group, 9.20 ± 13.88 μm in the PGA discontinued group, and 7.06 ± 7.02 μm in the non-glaucomatous group, all p < 0.008), but no significant difference among the three groups (p = 0.161). Cystoid macular edema occurred in only one patient in the non-glaucomatous group (p = 0.568). Conclusions: Continuous use of PGAs during the perioperative period was not significantly associated with increased macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery. In the absence of other risk factors (e.g., capsular rupture, uveitis, or diabetic retinopathy), discontinuing PGAs for the prevention of macular edema after cataract surgery with postoperative bromfenac treatment is unnecessary in patients with glaucoma.

Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography-detectable central macular thickness changes with perioperative prostaglandin analogs

PURPOSE

To define the incidence of cystoid macular edema (CME) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography-detectable (SD-OCT) subclinical changes in central retinal thickness in patients using prostaglandin analog (PGA) eyedrops after phacoemulsification.

SETTING

Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Prospective case series.

METHODS

A consecutive analysis of the incidence of postoperative CME after phacoemulsification by a single surgeon was performed in eyes of patients using PGA eyedrops between March 2010 and January 2014. The presence of CME was determined using SD-OCT (Cirrus) 3 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively. Exclusion criteria included preexisting pathology known to predispose to CME and previous ophthalmic surgery. The paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare central retinal thickness measurements at baseline and 3 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS

All 48 patients (mean age 78.4 years; 60 eyes) had uneventful surgery. There were no cases of clinically significant CME. Subclinical CME detected by SD-OCT was confirmed in 2 eyes of different patients (3.3% of eyes), 1 eye 3 weeks postoperatively and another eye at 6 weeks. Subclinical CME resolved in both cases within 8 weeks. In both cases, the difference in central retinal thickness at baseline and 6 weeks postoperatively was statistically significant (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of subclinical CME detectable on SD-OCT after routine phacoemulsification in patients using PGA eyedrops throughout the perioperative period was 3.3%. There were no cases of clinical CME. These findings might guide clinicians in their decision to use PGAs perioperatively.

Risk factors for and diagnosis of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery in diabetic patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the risk factors and potential diagnostic criteria for pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME) in diabetic patients after phacoemulsification.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

DESIGN

Prospective nonrandomized study.

METHODS

Diabetic patients were followed for up to 6 months after cataract surgery and examined to evaluate their foveal thickness, macular sensitivity, and corrected distance visual acuity. Multiple statistical analyses were performed to determine risk factors and diagnostic criteria for pseudophakic CME.

RESULTS

The duration, type of diabetes, stage of diabetic retinopathy, nuclear opalescence grading, glycosylated hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c), and ultrasound time were correlated with the change in foveal thickness and macular sensitivity after cataract surgery. Unsupervised data analysis showed 3 groups of patients as follows: nonpseudophakic CME, level 1 pseudophakic CME, and level 2 pseudophakic CME. Subclinical level 1 patients had a 30% to 40% increase in foveal thickness 1 month postoperatively, while level 2 patients had at least a 40% increase in foveal thickness and a 20% decrease in macular sensitivity. The incidence of clinical pseudophakic CME was 3.2% in diabetic patients as per the diagnostic criteria. The change in macular sensitivity was more consistent and correlated with foveal thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

The duration, severity, type of diabetes, hardness of the lens, and HbA_1c were risks for pseudophakic CME in diabetic patients after cataract surgery. A 40% or more increase in foveal thickness and 20% or more decrease in macular sensitivity offer an objective and reliable diagnostic standard to report pseudophakic CME in diabetics.

[Frequency and type of macular edema after cataract surgery in patients with glaucoma]

Cataract is one of the common causes of reversible vision loss in people older than 50 years. Currently, the only way to treat it effectively is phacoemulsification with simultaneous implantation of an intraocular lens - a method that minimizes the amount of surgical trauma and the number of intra- and postoperative complications. Nevertheless, the problem of prevention and timely diagnosis of pathological changes in the retina, which may develop after extraction of cataracts, and in particular - macular edema, remains relevant. This problem becomes especially important when it comes to patients with concomitant cataract and glaucoma who use local antihypertensive drugs - in particular, prostaglandin analogues - for a long time. Having common properties with inflammatory mediators, in some cases they can cause vasodilation, increase vascular permeability and contribute to the development of exudative processes. Drugs of this group can cause impairment of the hematophthalmic and hematoretinal barriers provoking the development of cystoid macular edema, including in the early postoperative period after cataract extraction. As described by S. Irvine in 1953, macular edema is related to late postoperative complications and remains one of the main causes of visual impairment after lens removal. The review provides information about some studies concerning the effect of prostaglandin derivatives on the postoperative period after phacoemulsification. At this time, there is no consensus on this matter.

BKC and CME: Is benzalkonium chloride hindering our efforts to achieve the desired postoperative visual acuity?

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the change in postoperative central macular thickness in patients receiving benzalkonium chloride (BKC)-preserved and BKC-free medications after uneventful phacoemulsification.

SETTING

V.M.M.C & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi (a tertiary health care hospital).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective randomized comparative observational study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Once patients were selected, the baseline standard ophthalmic examination was done.

SAMPLE SIZE

140 eyes were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups. (a) Group I: receive BKC-preserved topical medications and (b) Group II: receive BKC-free topical medications of same constituents postoperatively. Group I patients received topical BKC-preserved moxifloxacin 0.5% + dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops six times a day, timolol maleate 0.5% twice daily, tropicamide 0.8% + phenylephrine 5% once a day for 6 weeks, and Group II received same BKC-free topical eye drops for 6 weeks. Postoperatively, the patients were reviewed at day 1, week 1, week 6 for same parameters.

STATISTICS

Quantitative variables: paired and unpaired t test. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean CMT in μm at 1 week in Group I was 269.39 ± 14.56 and in Group II was 270.04 ± 6.56. The mean CMT in µm at 6 weeks in Group I was 270.39 ± 17.18 and in Group II was 270.90 ± 7.00.

CONCLUSION

Neither do BKC-preserved topical medications have any independent role in increasing the central macular thickness after uneventful surgery nor do they have any role in causing pseudophakic CME.

The Effects of Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery on Retinal Layer Thickness

Purpose

Our aim was to assess changes in the total retinal thickness (TRT), total retinal volume (TRV), and retinal layer thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Methods

A total of 32 eyes of 32 patients who had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation in one eye were enrolled. Effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and total energy (TE) were recorded. Thickness and TRV were measured using optical coherence tomography. Data were collected preoperatively and at postoperative day 1, 7, 30, 90, and 180.

Results

The study results showed a decrease in TRT, TRV, and most retinal layer thicknesses at the first postoperative day visit and then increasing at week 1, and months 1 and 3, and then relatively decreasing at month 6 although not returning to preoperative levels. The least affected layers were the retinal pigment epithelium and outer plexiform layer. There was a positive correlation between EPT and TE and ganglion cell layer in a 1 mm circle and inner nuclear layer in a 1-3 mm circle (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that long-term follow-up of more than 6 months is necessary after cataract surgery to see whether total retinal and segmental values return to preoperative levels. This study was registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12618000763246.

Effect of Cataract Grade according to Wide-Field Fundus Images on Measurement of Macular Thickness in Cataract Patients

Purpose

To investigate the effects of cataract grade based on wide-field fundus imaging on macular thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Methods

Two hundred cataract patients (200 eyes) with preoperative measurements by wide-field fundus imaging and macular SD-OCT were enrolled. Cataract severity was graded from 1 to 4 according to the degree of macular obscuring by cataract artifact in fundus photo images. Cataract grade based on wide-field fundus image, the Lens Opacity Classification System III, macular thickness, and SD-OCT SNR were compared. All SD-OCT B-scan images were evaluated to detect errors in retinal layer segmentation.

Results

Cataract grade based on wide-field fundus imaging was positively correlated with grade of posterior subcapsular cataracts (rho = 0.486, p < 0.001), but not with nuclear opalescence or cortical cataract using the Lens Opacity Classification System III. Cataract grade was negatively correlated with total macular thickness (rho = −0.509, p < 0.001) and SD-OCT SNR (rho = −0.568, p < 0.001). SD-OCT SNR was positively correlated with total macular thickness (rho = 0.571, p < 0.001). Of 200 eyes, 97 (48.5%) had segmentation errors on SD-OCT. As cataract grade increased and SD-OCT SNR decreased, the percentage of eyes with segmentation errors on SD-OCT increased. All measurements of macular thickness in eyes without segmentation errors were significantly greater than those of eyes with segmentation errors.

Conclusions

Posterior subcapsular cataracts had profound effects on cataract grade based on wide-field fundus imaging. As cataract grade based on wide-field fundus image increased, macular thickness tended to be underestimated due to segmentation errors in SD-OCT images. Segmentation errors in SD-OCT should be considered when evaluating macular thickness in eyes with cataracts.

The Effect of Perioperative Topical Ketorolac 0.5% on Macular Thickness after Uneventful Phacoemulsification

Background

To evaluate the effects of topical 0.5% ketorolac treatment combined with topical steroids on macular thickness in cases who had uneventful phacoemulsification surgery.

Methods

58 eyes of 58 consecutive cases were included. The mean foveal thickness (MFT), parafoveal thickness (ParaFT), and perifoveal thickness (PeriFT) measurements were performed with optical coherence tomography (RTVue-100, Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA) preoperatively and at postoperative 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months. All cases received topical 0.1% dexamethasone postoperatively. Randomly selected cases additionally received topical 0.5% ketorolac, which started 2 days prior to surgery. Cases who received both topical steroids and ketorolac formed group 1 and subjects who received only topical steroids formed group 2.

Results

The increase in mean MFT at the 1st week, 1st month, and 2nd months after surgery in group 1 was significantly lower than group 2 (P = 0.008, P ≤ 0.001, and P ≤ 0.001, resp.). In group 1, the increase in mean ParaFT and PeriFT was significantly lower than group 2 at the 1st and 2nd months of the surgery (P < 0.05 for all variables).

Conclusions

Topical ketorolac combined with steroids is highly efficacious in order to prevent increment in thickness on each part of the macula even after an uneventful phacoemulsification surgery comparing to steroid monotheraphy.

Vitreous hyper-reflective dots in pseudophakic cystoid macular edema assessed with optical coherence tomography

Purpose

This study compares the presence of vitreous hyper-reflective dots (VHDs) detected with optical coherence tomography (OCT) between eyes with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME) and those with no CME after cataract surgery. In addition, we evaluated the impact of VHDs on the responsiveness of pseudophakic CME to cortisone treatment.

Setting

Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Design

Retrospective, monocenter case-controlled study.

Methods

Inclusion criteria for the study group and the control group were CME and no CME within 12 weeks following uneventful phacoemulsification in otherwise healthy eyes, respectively. VHDs (number and size) and the macular thickness were assessed with OCT. Furthermore, the number of peribulbar or intravitreal steroid injections was assessed.

Results

A total of 284 eyes from 267 patients were analyzed, among which 119 met the inclusion criteria for the study (n = 63) and the control group (n = 56). VHDs were observed in 54 (85.7%) study eyes and 21 (37.5%, p = 0.013) control eyes. The number of VHDs was 3.9±3.4 in the study group and 0.7±1 in the control group (p<0.001). The size of the VHDs was 33.5±9.1 μm and 36.6±17.9 μm in the study and control groups, respectively (p = 0.978). Overall, the number of VHDs correlated with central subfield thickness (r = 0.584, p<0.001), cube volume (r = 0.525, p<0.001), and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (r = -0.563, p<0.001). The number of VHDs did not correlate with the frequency of peribulbar or intravitreal steroid injections.

Conclusion

VHDs occurred more often in eyes with CME than in eyes without CME following cataract surgery. In addition, the number of VHDs had an impact on the extent of macular thickening and subsequently postoperative BCVA. No correlation was found between the number of VHDs and the frequency of required peribulbar or intravitreal steroid injections.

Retinal and choroidal thickness after femtosecond laser-assisted and standard phacoemulsification

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term changes in retina and choroidal tissue after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and standard phacoemulsification (PE) surgery.

Methods

In all, 25 eyes undergoing FLACS and 27 eyes undergoing PE surgery were included in this nonrandomized, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Central retinal thickness (CRT) and choroidal thickness (CT) were measured pre- and postoperatively (at day 1, 1 week later, and after 1 month) with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in all patients and were compared. For group comparisons, chi-square test and independent t-test were used. Postoperative values were compared to the baseline using a paired t-test. The magnitude of the change from baseline to the peak was analyzed by multiple regression models in an attempt to explain possible influence variables.

Results

Pre and postoperative CRT measurements were similar in both groups. The mean subfoveal CT at day 1, after 1 week, and 1 month were significantly higher than baseline CT measurements in the PE group.

Conclusion

FLACS might have an advantage in regard to postoperative choroidal changes.

Impact of B-Scan Averaging on Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography Image Quality before and after Cataract Surgery

Background and Objective

To determine optimal image averaging settings for Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with and without cataract.

Study Design/Material and Methods

In a prospective study, the eyes were imaged before and after cataract surgery using seven different image averaging settings. Image quality was quantitatively evaluated using signal-to-noise ratio, distinction between retinal layer image intensity distributions, and retinal layer segmentation performance. Measures were compared pre- and postoperatively across different degrees of averaging.

Results

13 eyes of 13 patients were included and 1092 layer boundaries analyzed. Preoperatively, increasing image averaging led to a logarithmic growth in all image quality measures up to 96 frames. Postoperatively, increasing averaging beyond 16 images resulted in a plateau without further benefits to image quality. Averaging 16 frames postoperatively provided comparable image quality to 96 frames preoperatively.

Conclusion

In patients with clear media, averaging 16 images provided optimal signal quality. A further increase in averaging was only beneficial in the eyes with senile cataract. However, prolonged acquisition time and possible loss of details have to be taken into account.

Variations in retinal nerve fiber layer measurements on optical coherence tomography after implantation of trifocal intraocular lens

Purpose:

To establish the changes produced after implantation of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) on retinal nerve fiber layer measurements performed with Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods:

This prospective study included 100 eyes of 50 patients with bilateral cataract in surgical range, no other associated ocular involvement, refractive errors between +5 and −5 spherical diopters, and less than 1.5 D of corneal astigmatism. The eyes were operated by phacoemulsification with implantation of 2 different trifocal IOLs (FineVision and AT LISA tri 839MP) in randomized equal groups. Cirrus OCT and Spectralis OCT were performed before surgery and 3 months later. Both analyzed the thickness of the nerve fiber layer and thickness divided by quadrants (6 in case of Spectralis and 4 in case of Cirrus HD).

Results:

The mean age of patients was 67.5 ± 5.8 years. The global nerve fiber layer thickness measured with Spectralis OCT was 96.77 μm before surgery and 99.55 μm after. With Cirrus OCT, the global thickness was 85.29 μm before surgery and 89.77 μm after. Statistically significant differences in global thickness measurements between preimplantation and postimplantation of the IOL were found with both OCT in the 2 groups. Statistically significant differences were also found in temporal and superior quadrants.

Conclusions:

The implantation of a diffractive trifocal IOL alters the results of the optic nerve fiber layer on Fourier-domain OCT in these patients, which should be taken into account in the posterior study of these patients.

Immediate Postoperative Intraocular Pressure Adjustment Reduces Risk of Cystoid Macular Edema after Uncomplicated Micro Incision Coaxial Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery

Purpose

To determine the accuracy of visual estimation of immediate postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) following microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and the effect of immediate postoperative IOP adjustment on prevention of cystoid macular edema (CME).

Setting

Ambulatory surgical center.

Methods

Prospective, randomized analysis of 170 eyes in 135 patients with MICS, performed in a Medicare approved outpatient ambulatory surgery center. Surgical parameters included a keratome incision of 1.5 mm to 2.8 mm, topical anesthetic, case completion IOP estimation by palpation and patient visualization of light, and IOP adjustment before exiting the operating theater. IOPs were classified into three groups: low (<16 mmHg), normal (16 to 21 mmHg), and elevated (>21 to 30 mmHg). IOP measurements were repeated 1 day after surgery. Optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT, Zeiss) was measured at 2 weeks. An increase in foveal thickness greater than 15 µm was used to indicate CME. Statistical analysis was performed using one- and two-tailed Student's t-tests.

Results

Mean minimal foveal thickness averaged 207.15 µm in the low pressure group, 205.14 µm in the normal IOP group, and 210.48 µm in the elevated IOP group 2 weeks following surgery. CME occurred in 14 of 170 eyes (8.2%) at 2 weeks (low IOP, 35.7%; normal IOP, 14.2%; elevated IOP, 50.0%). Change in IOP from the operating theater to 1 day after surgery was within +/−5 mmHg in 54 eyes (31.7%), elevated by 6 to 15 mmHg in 22 eyes (12.9%), and elevated more than 15 mmHg in four eyes (2.3%). IOP was reduced by 6 mmHg to 15 mmHg in 39 eyes (22.9%) and reduced by more than 15 mmHg in nine eyes (5.3%).

Conclusions

Immediate postoperative adjustment of IOP may prevent CME in MICS. Physicians can improve their ability to estimate postoperative IOP with experience in tonometry to verify immediate postoperative IOP. There are patient safety and economic benefits to immediate IOP adjustment in the operating theater.

Synopsis

Immediate postoperative IOP adjustment following cataract surgery before the patient leaves the operating theater may reduce the incidence of CME and provide patient safety and economic benefits.

Changes of the Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness after Cataract Surgery in Glaucoma Patients

Purpose. To investigate the effect of uneventful cataract surgery on macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGC-IPL) thickness in glaucoma patients. Methods. This retrospective study included 65 eyes of 65 subjects who underwent uneventful cataract surgery, including 13 glaucoma eyes and 52 normal eyes. Using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, the mGC-IPL thickness was measured and compared between glaucoma and normal eyes preoperatively as well as 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with postoperative change in mGC-IPL thickness. Results. The mean mGC-IPL significantly increased in both groups 1 month and 3 months after surgery (all P values equal to or less than 0.001). The postoperative changes between groups were not significantly different (P = 0.171). In the multivariate regression analysis, preoperative mGC-IPL thickness showed a significant association with the change of average mGC-IPL thickness 1 month and 3 months after surgery (all P values < 0.001). Conclusions. The mean mGC-IPL thickness was increased after cataract surgery, and the postoperative mGC-IPL thickness changes were associated with preoperative mGC-IPL thickness in both groups and axial length in normal eye. The effects of cataract surgery on mean mGC-IPL thickness were not different in glaucomatous and normal eyes.

Effect of cataract surgery on subfoveal choroidal and ganglion cell complex thicknesses measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, as measured by enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

This prospective study included 30 eyes of 30 patients who had undergone uneventful phacoemulsification surgery for senile cataract but had no previous ocular surgery or other ocular abnormality. Best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure, axial length, and central corneal thickness were measured preoperatively. The operative times (OTs) and effective phaco times were also recorded in each case. OCT measurements were performed at the preoperative visit and 1 month after cataract surgery. Study of CT and GCC thickness changes was the primary objective, but central macular thickness (CMT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses were also obtained by OCT.

Results

The mean subfoveal CT was 294.4±39.2 μm preoperatively and 301.4±39.9 μm postoperatively (P<0.001). The mean GCC thickness was 85.0±4.4 μm preoperatively and 89.2±5.3 μm postoperatively (P<0.001). The mean CMT was 247.9±17.6 μm preoperatively and 249.0±17.8 μm postoperatively (P=0.029). The mean RNFL thickness was 97.4±5.4 μm preoperatively and 101.7±5.6 μm postoperatively (P<0.001). Regression analysis showed that age, sex, axial length, central corneal thickness, operative time, and effective phaco time were not associated with CT changes (P=0.834, P=0.129, P=0.203, P=0.343, P=0.547, and P=0.147, respectively) and GCC thickness changes (P=0.645, P=0.542, P=0.152, P=0.664, P=0.448, and P=0.268, respectively) after cataract surgery.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that all subfoveal CT, CMT, as well as RNFL and GCC thicknesses are slightly affected after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. After cataract surgery, the examiners should consider obtaining new baseline measurements.

Topical bromfenac for prevention and treatment of cystoid macular edema following cataract surgery: a review

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, alone or in combination, have historically been used off label in the US to prevent and treat postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME). This literature review presents available data on the use of bromfenac 0.07% or 0.09% to prevent and treat CME following cataract surgery. Bromfenac is an NSAID approved to treat postoperative inflammation and reduce ocular pain following cataract surgery. Few cases of clinical CME were observed with bromfenac use in a total of 19 reviewed studies. There were no significant differences in CME incidence between bromfenac and corticosteroid-treated patients or between bromfenac- and bromfenac plus corticosteroid-treated patients. Bromfenac demonstrated comparable efficacy to other NSAIDs in preventing CME. Compared with corticosteroids, bromfenac alone or plus a corticosteroid showed similar or better efficacy in minimizing changes in retinal thickness and macular volume. In diabetic cataract surgery patients, bromfenac was comparable or superior to corticosteroids for minimizing changes in retinal thickness; also, combination therapy with bromfenac and corticosteroids may be associated with smaller changes in foveal thickness, macular thickness, and macular volume versus monotherapy with either treatment alone in this patient population. In two randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trials with bromfenac 0.07%, CME was reported as an adverse event in 0.5% and 1.5% of patients receiving bromfenac and placebo, respectively. In an analysis of four placebo-controlled trials with bromfenac 0.09%, macular edema was reported in 0.7% and 1.4% of patients receiving bromfenac and placebo, respectively. When evaluated as treatment for acute or chronic CME, bromfenac was associated with improvement in visual acuity and reduction in retinal thickness, but few studies are available. Overall, published data suggest that bromfenac is safe and effective when used to prevent or treat CME. Large-scale placebo-controlled trials and greater standardization of CME measures are needed to establish optimal bromfenac regimens for the prophylaxis and treatment of CME following cataract surgery.

Screening Patients With Cataract for Premium IOL Candidacy Using Microperimetry

PURPOSE

To explore the use of microperimetry in the evaluation of macular dysfunction in patients with cataract, to aid in proper intraocular lens selection (multifocal vs monofocal), and to set expectations for postoperative visual function.

METHODS

One randomly chosen eye of 10 patients diagnosed as having mild (1+) to moderate (3+) cataract was evaluated before and 1 week after cataract surgery with the MAIA microperimeter (Centervue S.p.A, Padova, Italy). Corrected distance visual acuity, dilated and undilated biomicroscopy and indirect fundus examinations, intraocular pressure measurement, and a MAIA microperimeter test to measure macular sensitivity and fixation pattern were also performed.

RESULTS

Two patients showed macular abnormalities before and after surgery that were noted on MAIA testing: one patient showed reduced average threshold sensitivity and abnormal percent reduced threshold, whereas the other patient showed fixation drift demonstrating eccentric fixation. Both eyes had reduced postoperative visual performance after uneventful cataract surgeries.

CONCLUSIONS

Because not every macular lesion noted on fundus examination or optical coherence tomography may be clinically significant, microperimetry can be useful to detect clinically significant retinal dysfunction prior to cataract surgery. The outcome may aid in the selection of intraocular lens type and may yield a better documented surgical prognosis. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Comparison of ketorolac 0.45% versus diclofenac 0.1% for macular thickness and volume after uncomplicated cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of ketorolac 0.45% and diclofenac 0.1% on macular thickness and volume after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

METHODS

A total of 76 eyes of 76 patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery were included. Patients were treated with either diclofenac 0.1% (38 eyes) or ketorolac 0.45% (38 eyes) after surgery. The macular thickness and volume were obtained with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Central subfield thickness (CST, OCT 1 mm zone), total foveal thickness (TFT, OCT 3 mm zone), total macular thickness (TMT, OCT 6 mm zone), average macular thickness (AMT) and total macular volume (TMV) were compared between the two study groups.

RESULTS

No significant differences between groups were found in macular thickness or volume 1 month after cataract surgery. Two months after surgery, the ketorolac group had significantly lower CST, TFT, TMT and AMT than the diclofenac group (p < 0.05 for all). Additionally, 1 and 2 months after surgery, changes from preoperative values in CST (both p = 0.04), AMT (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively) and TMV (both p = 0.04) were significantly less in the ketorolac group than in the diclofenac group.

CONCLUSIONS

Following uncomplicated cataract surgery, topical ketorolac 0.45% was more effective than diclofenac 0.1% in preventing increases in macular thickness and volume.

Assessing the effects of ketorolac and acetazolamide on macular thickness by optical coherence tomography following cataract surgery

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical ketorolac 0.5 % solution and oral acetazolamide 250 mg/day delivery during the first month after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery by measuring the macular thickness using optical coherence tomography. Our nonmasked randomized prospective study comprised 87 eyes of 80 patients. Complete follow-up was achieved on 84 eyes of 77 eligible patients. Postoperatively, the patients were divided into three groups. One group received ketorolac 0.5 %, the other group received acetazolamide 250 mg/day, and the control group was given no agent. Macular thickness and volume were measured at 1 week and 1 month after surgery by optical coherence tomography. Foveal thickness, parafoveal thickness, and perifoveal thickness were determined to be significantly elevated at postoperative 1 week and 1 month in the control group. Foveal, perifoveal, and parafoveal volumes were also significantly high at postoperative week 1 and month 1 in the control group. There was no significant difference between the ketorolac and acetazolamide groups. The correlation analysis between best-corrected visual acuity, and volume and thickness revealed a negative correlation in the acetazolamide group. Use of acetazolamide after cataract surgery is as effective as ketorolac on macular thickness and volume.

Macular edema after uncomplicated cataract surgery: a role for phacoemulsification energy and vitreoretinal interface status?

PURPOSE

To study postoperative macular thickness fluctuations measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to investigate a potential correlation among macular edema (ME) incidence, cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) released during phacoemulsification, and vitreoretinal interface status.

METHODS

This is a prospective, cross-sectional study of 106 cataract patients with no macular disorder who underwent phacoemulsification. Best-corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp examination, OCT scans were performed preoperatively and 30 and 90 days postoperatively. The intraoperative parameters measured were CDE and total phacoemulsification time. The SD-OCT parameters assessed were central subfield thickness (CST), cube average thickness (CAT), cube macular volume, vitreoretinal interface status, and presence of cystoid or diffuse ME.

RESULTS

Four patients (3.8%) developed subclinical ME. Regarding ME, there was no significant difference between patients with presence or absence of posterior vitreous detachment (chi-square, p = 0.57), although 75% of ME cases were observed in patients with attached posterior vitreous. With regard to comparison between eyes with and without subclinical CME incidence, CDE (p = 0.05), phacoemulsification time (p = 0.001), CST at month 1 (p = 0.002), cube macular volume at month 1 (p = 0.039), and CAT at month 1 (p = 0.050) were significantly higher in the subclinical CME group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that OCT macular thickness parameters increase significantly at first and third month postoperatively and that the incidence of pseudophakic ME can be affected by CDE.

Bimanual microincision versus standard coaxial small-incision cataract surgery: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the outcomes of bimanual microincision cataract surgery (B-MICS) through a 1.2- to 1.5-mm incision versus standard coaxial small-incision cataract surgery (C-SICS) through a 2.8- to 3.2-mm incision.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed according to the Cochrane Collaboration methodology to identify randomized controlled clinical trials comparing B-MICS with standard C-SICS. Main outcome measures were mean surgical time, mean phacoemulsification power, effective phacoemulsification time, best-corrected visual acuity, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), mean laser flare photometry values, mean endothelial cell loss, mean increased central corneal thickness, and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

We identified 14 randomized controlled clinical trials that included 1235 eyes diagnosed with cataracts. No statistically significant differences were detected between the 2 surgical procedures in terms of best-corrected visual acuity (p&gt;0.05), SIA at postoperative 1 month (p = 0.09), laser flare photometry values (p = 0.38), mean endothelial cell loss (p = 0.53), increased central corneal thickness at postoperative 1 month (p = 0.64) or 3 months (p = 0.88), intraoperative complications (p = 0.68), and postoperative complications (p = 0.30); however, statistically significant differences were apparent for mean surgical time (p&lt;0.00001), mean phacoemulsification power (p = 0.008), effective phacoemulsification time (p = 0.0009), SIA at postoperative 3 months (p = 0.02), and increased central corneal thickness at postoperative 1 day (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis shows that the 2 techniques have similar outcomes in terms of final visual acuity and complications. Bimanual MICS has the advantage of less SIA and phaco time whereas C-SICS has the advantage of quicker surgery and less likelihood of early-onset corneal edema.

Management of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema

Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) is a common complication following cataract surgery. Acute PCME may resolve spontaneously, but some patients will develop chronic macular edema that affects vision and is difficult to treat. This disease was described more than 50 years ago, and there are multiple options for clinical management. We discuss mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and adverse effects of these treatment modalities. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids are widely used and, when combined, may have a synergistic effect. Intravitreal corticosteroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents have shown promise when topical medications either fail or have had limited effects. Randomized clinical studies evaluating anti-VEGF agents are needed to fully evaluate benefits and risks. When PCME is either refractory to medical therapy or is associated with significant vitreous involvement, pars plana vitrectomy has been shown to improve outcomes, though it is associated with additional risks.

Effect of intracameral carbachol in phacoemulsification surgery on macular morphology and retinal vessel caliber

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of intracameral carbachol in phacoemulsification surgery on central macular thickness (CMT), total macular volume (TMV) and retinal vessel caliber (RVC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective consecutive case series, 82 patients underwent uneventful phacoemulsification and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation. Unlike patients in the control group (43 eyes), patients in the study group (42 eyes) were injected with intracameral 0.01% carbachol during surgery. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to analyze the parameters of CMT, TMV and RVC.

RESULTS

On the first postoperative day, mean CMT and TMV decreased markedly in the carbachol group, though these values did not change significantly in the control group. During follow-up visits, no statistically significant differences between the groups occurred regarding changes in mean CMT (p = 0.25, first day; p = 0.80, first week; p = 0.95, first month). However, change in mean TMV between groups on the first postoperative day was statistically significant (p = 0.01, first day; p = 0.96, first week; p = 0.68, first month). RVC values were similar on the preoperative and postoperative first days in both groups (p > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Results suggest that the effect of intracameral carbachol on macular OCT is related to pharmacological effects, as well as optic events (e.g. miosis).

CONCLUSION

Intracameral carbachol given during cataract surgery decreases macular thickness and volume in the early postoperative period but does not exert any gross effect on RVC.

Retinal thickness changes after phacoemulsification

Purpose

To determine the effect of phacoemulsification on macular volume and thickness using spectral domain optical coherence tomography examinations.

Methods

Twenty-seven eyes of 27 subjects who underwent phacoemulsification were studied. All nine areas of the macula were examined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. Effective phacoemulsification time and absolute phacoemulsification time were also recorded.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in macular thickness between preoperative and postoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography examinations in nine areas including macular volume. In the paracentral macular area, the thickness of three quadrants significantly increased (superior P=0.015; temporal P=0.001; and nasal P=0.023). Peripheral macular thickness also increased significantly in the superior (P=0.05) and temporal macular areas (P<0.001). The macular volume increased significantly after phacoemulsification (P<0.001). There were no correlations between absolute/effective phacoemulsification time and macular cellular structures (P>0.05), but a significant correlation (P=0.011) was found between absolute phacoemulsification time and change in macular volume.

Conclusion

Macular thickness changes in the nasal, superior, and temporal quadrants of the paracentral area and the superior and temporal quadrants of the peripheral area, as well as macular volume, may be used as detailed biomarkers to measure the effects of intraocular pressure fluctuations and maneuvers in phacoemulsification intraocular surgeries.

Influence of cataract surgery on repeatability and measurements of spectral domain optical coherence tomography

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS

To evaluate the effect of uncomplicated cataract phacoemulsification on the measurements of macular and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in healthy subjects using two spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT) instruments--Cirrus OCT (Zeiss) and Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg)--and to assess the reliability of the measurements obtained with these two devices before and after cataract surgery.

METHODS

The study included 60 eyes of 60 healthy subjects (22 men and 38 women, 54-88 years of age) who underwent cataract phacoemulsification. One month before and one month after surgery, three repetitions of scans were performed using the RNFL and macular analysis protocols of the Cirrus and Spectralis OCT instruments. The differences between RNFL and macular thickness measurements obtained in the two visits were analysed. Repeatability was evaluated by calculating the coefficient of variation (COV) for each of the parameters recorded and for each visit.

RESULTS

The RNFL measurements obtained with the Cirrus and Spectralis OCT differed before and after surgery, and most of these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Macular thickness measurements using the Spectralis OCT were not significantly different between the two visits, whereas the differences found with the Cirrus OCT were statistically significant. The repeatability was better after surgical removal of the cataract, and the differences between COV in the two visits were significant with the Cirrus OCT.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of cataracts affects RNFL and macular measurements performed with SD-OCT. The repeatability of the images significantly improved after cataract phacoemulsification when using the Cirrus OCT.

Influence of cataract surgery on optical coherence tomography and neurophysiology measurements in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of uncomplicated cataract phacoemulsification on the measurements of visual evoked potentials (VEP), pattern electroretinogram (PERG), and macular and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) using 2 spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) instruments, the Cirrus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditech) and Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering), in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to assess the reliability of the OCT measurements before and after cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Observational cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients with RP (20 men and 15 women, 45-66 years) who underwent cataract phacoemulsification were studied. At 1 month before and 1 month after surgery, visual acuity, VEP, PERG, and 3 repetitions of scans using the RNFL and macular analysis protocols of the Cirrus and Spectralis OCT instruments were performed. The differences in measurements between the 2 visits were analyzed. Repeatability of OCT measurements was evaluated by calculating the coefficients of variation.

RESULTS

VEP amplitude, RNFL thicknesses provided by Cirrus and Spectralis, and macular measurements provided by Cirrus OCT differed between the 2 visits. VEP latency, PERG measurements, and macular thicknesses provided by the Spectralis OCT before surgery did not differ significantly from those after surgery. The OCT repeatability was better after surgery, with lower coefficients of variation for scans performed after surgical removal of the cataract. The nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular types of cataracts did not show different repeatability.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of cataracts affects VEP amplitude, RNFL, and macular measurements performed with OCT in eyes with RP. Image repeatability significantly improves after cataract phacoemulsification.

Anterior chamber flare after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To determine whether postoperative ocular inflammation is less after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery than after conventional phacoemulsification (manual) cataract surgery.

SETTING

Private clinic, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

DESIGN

Prospective consecutive investigator-masked nonrandomized parallel cohort study.

METHODS

Consecutive cataract patients who had femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery or manual cataract surgery by the same surgeon at a single center were assessed. The primary endpoint was postoperative aqueous flare measured by laser flare photometry at 1 day and 4 weeks. Secondary endpoints included retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography and slitlamp examination findings at 4 weeks.

RESULTS

The per-protocol population comprised 176 patients (100 in laser group; 76 in manual group). Postoperative aqueous flare was significantly greater in the manual cataract surgery group at 1 day (P=.0089) and at 4 weeks (P=.003). There was a significant correlation between effective phacoemulsification time and 1-day postoperative aqueous flare (r = 0.35, P<.0001). The increase in outer zone thickness measured by optical coherence tomography was less in the laser group (P=.007).

CONCLUSION

Anterior segment inflammation was less after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery than after manual cataract surgery, and this appeared to be due to a reduction in phacoemulsification energy.

Evaluation of macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To evaluate central macular thickness (CMT) after cataract surgery in selected groups of patients. 


METHODS

The study comprised 4 groups-patients with epiretinal membrane, patients with high myopia, patients with diabetes without retinopathy, and healthy subjects-who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Central macular thickness was measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using the 3D macular cube scan. The OCT evaluation was performed preoperatively and 1, 6, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 360 days after surgery. Visual acuity was measured preoperatively and after 6 and 360 days after surgery.


RESULTS

The study included 258 patients, 164 women and 94 men, with a mean age of 74 (SD 7.6) years. A statistically significant increase in CMT was observed from day 30 in patients with epiretinal membrane (p = 0.010) and diabetic patients (p = 0.026), reaching its maximum thickness at day 60 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), while it was observed only on day 360 in healthy subjects (p = 0.018) and those with high myopia (p = 0.003). The correlation between CMT and visual acuity was statistically significant only in the diabetic group (r = 0.61, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS

Following cataract surgery, CMT changes according to characteristic patterns in the different groups studied. These changes did not prevent an optimal recovery of visual function.

Macular thickness changes evaluated with spectral domain optical coherence tomography after uncomplicated phacoemulsification

PURPOSE

To determine macular thickness changes after uncomplicated cataract surgery using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS

This was a prospective non-randomized, clinical study. Data were analysed for 40 healthy patients undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification. OCT measurements were performed before surgery and postoperatively at day 1, week 1 and 2, and month 1, 2, 3, and 6. The retinal map was divided into central point thickness (CPT), central 1-mm subfield (CSF), and two peripheral ring areas with diameters of 3 and 6 m. Fellow eyes were used as controls. Retinal thickness change between the operated and fellow eyes were compared using unpaired t-test. Correlations were analysed using the Spearman or the Pearson analysis.

RESULTS

There was a progressive significant increase in retinal thickness of the operated eyes compared with the fellow eyes, with a peak at 1 month (P<0.0001) for the 3- and 6-mm areas and a peak at 2 months for CPT and CSF (P=0.01 and P<0.0001, respectively). At 6 months, retinal thickness was still significantly increased only in the peripheral areas (P<0.0001). There was no significant correlation between macular thickness changes and preoperative factors (age, axial length, anterior chamber depth, posterior vitreous detachment, best-corrected visual acuity), intraoperative factors (length of surgery, effective phaco time, phaco energy) or BCVA change.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated a significant increase in macular thickness up to 6 months after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The most important finding was the regional pattern of retinal thickening with an early involvement of the parafoveal area.

Efficacy and safety of indomethacin 0.1% eye drops compared with ketorolac 0.5% eye drops in the management of ocular inflammation after cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To determine whether indomethacin 0.1% eye drops are at least as effective as ketorolac 0.5% eye drops in treating ocular inflammation following cataract surgery.

METHODS

Prospective, multicenter, investigator-masked, parallel-group, randomized, active-controlled clinical trial. Cataract patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive indomethacin or ketorolac administered QID for 3 weeks beginning 1 day before surgery. The primary end-point was aqueous flare measured by laser flare meter at postoperative Days 1 and 7. Secondary end-points included retinal thickness, slit lamp and funduscopic examinations and postsurgical pain ratings. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients were included in the per protocol population (n = 43 per treatment group). Indomethacin was found non-inferior to ketorolac for comparison of aqueous flare at postoperative Days 1 and 7 (Day 1: 95% CI: -2.37, 5.50; non-inferiority upper margin, 15 ph/ms and Day 7: 95% CI: -7.83, -0.94; non-inferiority upper margin, 8 ph/ms) and statistically better than ketorolac at Day 7 (p = 0.013). There were no significant between-group differences in aqueous flare and change from baseline in retinal thickness at postoperative Days 30 and 90. Indomethacin showed a higher subjective tolerance rating than ketorolac at postoperative Days 7 and 30 (p ≤ 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Indomethacin 0.1% was at least as effective as ketorolac 0.5% at Day 1 and more effective than ketorolac 0.5% at Day 7 in treating ocular inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Indomethacin was better tolerated than ketorolac. There were no clinically meaningful safety concerns with either treatment.

Effect of simulated dynamic intraocular pressure on retinal thickness measured by optical coherence tomography after cataract surgery

AIM

To investigate the effect of simulated dynamic intraocular pressure (SDIOP) during uncomplicated phacoemulsification on postoperative macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.

METHODS

Macular and RNFL thicknesses in one eye of patients (n=30) undergoing uncomplicated phacoemulsification were measured by optical coherence tomography preoperatively and 1 week postoperatively. The best-corrected visual acuity, SDIOP, irrigation time (IT), effective phacoemulsification time, entire surgical duration, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean SDIOP and IT was (74.9 ± 27.4)cmH(2)O and (178.4 ± 21.6) seconds respectively. We divided our patients into two groups based upon IT with greater than 90cmH(2)O (P(>90)IT). In Group A (n=14), the P(>90)IT was greater than the mean P(>90)IT, and in Group B (n=16), the P(>90)IT was less than the mean P(>90)IT. For all patients there was a significant increase in macular thickness one week after cataract surgery (P=0.001). While the RNFL thickness tended to increase, the change was not significant. The postoperative macular thickness of Group A, (277.8 ± 13.7)µm, was significantly thicker than that of Group B, (267.9 ± 15.0)µm (P=0.004). The postoperative peripapillary RNFL thickness of Group A, (96.8 ± 10.8) µm, was not significantly different from Group B. For Group A, the change in macular thickness was positively correlated with P(>90)IT (R(2)=0.524, P=0.02). There was no statistical difference in postoperative visual acuity between Groups A and B.

CONCLUSION

After uncomplicated phacoemulsification, increased macular thickness is associated with the IT under high SDIOP. The effect of high SDIOP is limited to the sub-clinical level.

Quantitative analysis of macular thickness following uneventful and complicated cataract surgery

Purpose

To compare change of macular thickness after uneventful cataract surgery and after cataract surgery complicated with vitreous loss, using optic coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Twenty eyes of 20 patients who underwent cataract surgery complicated with posterior capsular tear participated in this retrospective study (Group 2). The fellow eyes of those patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery served as the control group (Group 1). Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, keratometry, axial length measurement, intraocular lens power calculation, intraocular pressure, and biomicroscopic and posterior segment examinations were done preoperatively. BCVA was evaluated at the postoperative 1st day, 1st week, 1st month, and 3rd month. Macular thickness and volumetric measurements with OCT with MM5 protocol were conducted at the postoperative 3rd month.

Results

Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA of Group 1 was significantly better than Group 2 at all intervals (P < 0.05). Foveal, parafoveal (superior and temporal), and perifoveal (superior and temporal) macular thickness measurements were significantly higher in Group 2 at month 3 (P < 0.05). Foveal volume was also significantly higher in Group 2 when compared with Group 1 (P < 0.05). In Group 2, two eyes (10%) were diagnosed with clinically significant cystoid macular edema at the 1-month visit.

Conclusion

Macular thickness was found to be significantly high in eyes undergoing complicated cataract surgery (with posterior capsular tear) when compared with uneventful cataract surgeries of fellow eyes.

Macular morphology assessed by optical coherence tomography image segmentation after femtosecond laser-assisted and standard cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare thickness changes in the retinal layers in the macula with optical coherence tomography (OCT) segmentation software after femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification (study group) and conventional phacoemulsification (control group).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

METHODS

Total retinal thickness of the macula was evaluated using Stratus OCT 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively. The OCT images were segmented using OCT retinal image analysis software. Regional thickness data in the central area, inner rings, and outer rings were obtained and absolute and relative thicknesses of the individual retinal layers in the 2 study groups compared. Relative thickness was calculated as the ratio of the retinal layer to the total retinal thickness.

RESULTS

All surgeries were uneventful. Statistically significant differences were found in absolute outer nuclear layer thickness and relative outer nuclear layer thickness in the inner and outer macular rings between the 2 groups. After adjusting for effective phaco time in multivariate modeling, type of surgery showed a significantly lower relative outer nuclear layer ratio in the inner retinal ring (0.26 with 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.27 versus 0.28 with 95% CI, 0.27-0.29; P=.03) and in the outer retinal ring (0.27 with 95% CI, 0.25-0.28 versus 0.29 with 95% CI, 0.28-0.31; P=.02) in the study group.

CONCLUSION

After cataract surgery, macular edema was detectable mainly in the outer nuclear layer in both groups but was significantly less using the femtosecond laser platform.

Effect of intracameral carbachol given during cataract surgery on macular thickness

To evaluate the effect of intracameral carbachol on foveal thickness in patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery. This retrospective study included two groups: the study group patients (group 1, n = 47 eyes) had uneventful cataract surgery and received only carbachol 0.01 % for miosis; the control group patients (group 2, n = 49 eyes) had uneventful cataract surgery without carbachol or any intracameral medication(s). The groups were compared for foveal thickness after cataract surgery. All phacoemulsification plus intraocular lens implantation surgeries were performed under local anesthesia via temporal clear corneal tunnel incisions. Mean values and standard deviations were calculated for preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (VA) and foveal thickness (FT) at 1 and 4 weeks. Optical coherence tomography was used for the FT measurements, with the MM6 map program. The patients in the study and control groups had a mean age of 57.78 ± 9.07 and 59.72 ± 8.96, respectively (p = 0.355). All eyes had a significant improvement in VA. In the study group, the mean FT at the visits before and 1 and 4 weeks after surgery was 216.87 ± 21.06, 228.81 ± 30.52, and 222.94 ± 29.91 μm, respectively. For the control group, the mean FT, before and 1 and 4 weeks after surgery, was 222.53 ± 17.66, 231.67 ± 23.08, and 225.41 ± 22.59 μm, respectively. Intracameral carbachol 0.01 % had no effect on foveal thickness in patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery.