Choroidal and macular thickness changes induced by cataract surgery.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Phacoemulsification is a common cataract surgery.
• Understanding its impact on ocular tissues is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of uneventful phacoemulsification on macular and choroidal thickness.
• To assess changes in the submacular and peripapillary choroid post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SD-OCT) was used.
• Measurements of retinal macular thickness and choroidal thickness were taken preoperatively and at 1 week and 1 month post-surgery in 14 eyes.
• Changes in ocular tissue thickness were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant increase in mean retinal macular thickness was observed one month post-surgery.
• No significant changes in submacular or peripapillary choroidal morphology or thickness were found.
• Post-surgery choroidal thickness changes were non-significant in both horizontal and vertical scans.

Conclusions:

• Uncomplicated phacoemulsification leads to nonpathologic increases in retinal macular thickness, likely due to surgical inflammation.
• These retinal changes occur independently of significant alterations in choroidal thickness.
• The posterior segment's response to phacoemulsification primarily involves the retina, not the choroid.