Central macular thickness change after uneventful small-incision cataract surgery - An observational study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to diagnose CME with the help of optical coherence tomography (OCT) after uneventful cataract surgery to prevent visual deterioration. METHODS: This study was conducted on 120 patients, who underwent manual small-incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens implantation. Follow-up was performed after the first week, sixth week, and 12(th) week post-operatively. Detailed examination was performed at each visit along with measurements of central macular thickness using OCT. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. RESULT: The mean age of the patients was 61.85 ± 11.41 years having female preponderance. The pre-operative mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was found to be 0.05 ± 0.04, whereas the mean post-operative BCVA was found to be 0.65 ± 0.17 at the first week, 0.66 ± 0.17 at the sixth week, and 0.67 ± 0.17 at the 12(th) week follow-up. The post-operative mean macular thicknesses at the first week, sixth week, and 12(th) week post-operatively were documented to be 221.66 ± 8.49 μm, 224.60 ± 8.75 μm, and 219.17 ± 8.22 μm, respectively. CONCLUSION: A sub-clinical increase in macular thickness occurs even after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The maximum increase was observed after 6 weeks of surgery, which returns to near normal values within 3 months. Comparison of central macular thicknesses pre-operatively and post-operatively at the first week, sixth week, and 12(th) week suggests a significant correlation.