Subfoveal Choroidal and Macular Thickness Changes after Phacoemulsification Using Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Phacoemulsification is a common cataract surgery.
• Understanding its impact on retinal and choroidal layers is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography (EDI-OCT) allows detailed visualization of the choroid.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in subfoveal retinal and choroidal thickness post-phacoemulsification.
• To investigate the relationship between these changes and surgical parameters.
• To correlate choroidal thickness variations with intraocular pressure (IOP) and ultrasound (US) energy.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 100 patients undergoing phacoemulsification.
• Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and retinal thickness measured using EDI-OCT.
• Measurements taken pre-operatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-operatively.

Main Results:

• A trend towards foveal choroidal thickening was observed (p > 0.05).
• Significant differences in choroidal thickness changes were noted at nasal 3 mm and 6 mm compared to baseline at multiple time points (p < 0.05).
• Choroidal thickness changes correlated negatively with IOP and positively with ultrasonic energy and time.

Conclusions:

• Uncomplicated phacoemulsification causes measurable changes in choroidal thickness.
• Negative correlation exists between IOP and choroidal thickness changes.
• SFCT is influenced by patient demographics (sex, age) and surgical factors (axial length, IOP, US time).