Central macular thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness changes on spectral domain optical coherence tomography after cataract surgery in pediatric population

PURPOSE: To evaluate the central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) changes on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) after cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in a pediatric population. METHODS: This was a longitudinal, prospective, interventional study which included 90 pediatric patients who underwent cataract extraction with IOL implantation. Serial SD-OCT scans were done at postoperative day 1, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up. CMT and SFCT were measured at each visit. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in CMT was noted at 1 month (from 199.3 µm to 210.04 µm) post surgery, which declined over a 3-month period (202.70 µm, P = 0.0001). In case of SFCT, a constant increase was observed for over 3 months of follow-up (baseline: 296.52 µm; 1 month: 309.04 µm; and 3 months: 319.03 µm, P = 0.0001). The traumatic cataract group showed more pronounced changes in CMT and SFCT than the non-traumatic cataract group. No significant difference was observed regarding these parameters between those who underwent primary posterior capsulotomy (PPC) versus those who did not. None of the patients in the study group developed cystoid macular edema. These posterior segment–related anatomical changes did not affect the final visual outcomes. CONCLUSION: Cataract surgery induces potential inflammatory changes in the macula and choroid in pediatric patients. Such changes are more pronounced in trauma-related cases; however, they are not significant enough to affect the visual outcomes. Similarly, the additional surgical step of PPC does not induce significant anatomical or functional changes.