Prediction of Visual Acuity After Cataract Surgery Using Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Eyes With Retinitis Pigmentosa

To investigate the predictive factors of visual acuity (VA) after cataract surgery in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Retrospective, observational study. The authors reviewed a consecutive series of 70 patients (109 eyes) with RP who underwent cataract surgery. The changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and 3 months after surgery were measured. The relationship between preoperative ellipsoid zone (EZ) conditions, external limiting membrane (ELM) conditions, central macular thickness (CMT), and postoperative BCVA were investigated.

The mean BCVA was significantly improved after cataract surgery from 0.80 to 0.45 (P < .001). However, final BCVA did not improve in 57 eyes (52.3%). The mean postoperative BCVA was significantly better in eyes with an intact ELM than those without (P < .001), in eyes with an intact EZ than those without (P < .001), and in eyes with relatively normal CMT (≥ 200 μm) than those with decreased CMT (< 200 μm) (P < .001). In multiple linear regression analysis, preoperative logMAR VA (P < .001), ELM integrity (P < .001), and CMT (P = .017) remained the only three variables that were associated significiantly with postoperative BCVA (R² = 0.753; P < .001).

Postoperative BCVA in approximately half of the eyes was improved after cataract surgery in patients with RP. The preoperative BCVA and the status of ELM and CMT are important parameters to predict postoperative VA. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:587-594.].