CHANGES IN CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT PSEUDOPHAKIC CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Macular Edema

Background:

• Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) is a common complication after cataract surgery.
• Understanding the pathophysiology of PCME is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate choroidal thickness in eyes with PCME during acute and resolved phases.
• To utilize enhanced depth imaging spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) for precise measurements.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinically significant PCME cases post-phacoemulsification.
• Choroidal thickness measured using EDI-OCT at baseline and post-resolution.
• Measurements taken at subfoveal and para-foveal locations.

Main Results:

• Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased from 258 ± 83 μm to 215 ± 79 μm after PCME resolution (P < 0.001).
• Fellow eyes had significantly lower baseline subfoveal choroidal thickness (194 ± 77 μm) compared to acute PCME eyes.

Conclusions:

• Choroidal thickness is increased in eyes with PCME.
• The reduction in choroidal thickness post-resolution supports an inflammatory basis for PCME.