Evaluation of Changes in Macular Thickness Using Optical Coherence Tomography After Cataract Surgery in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the changes in central macular thickness (CMT) after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery between diabetic and nondiabetic patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods: This prospective study included patients who were scheduled for phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the Department of Ophthalmology between November 2012 and February 2013. A total of 28 eyes of 28 patients affected by diabetes mellitus (DM) without preoperative macular edema and 40 eyes of 40 nondiabetic patients having elective phacoemulsification surgery were evaluated. The CMT values were examined using OCT preoperatively and at the postoperative Week 1, Month 1, Month 3, and Month 6. The duration of DM, antidiabetic medications used, and the presence of mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) were also investigated. Results:The CMT measured by OCT increased significantly in both diabetic and nondiabetic groups after cataract surgery. There was no significant difference between the observed changes of CMT in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. The correlation between the duration of DM, antidiabetic medications used, the presence of mild NPDR, and CMT changes in diabetics was not significant. Conclusion:Similar induced CMT changes can be expected in both diabetics with or without mild NPDR and in nondiabetic healthy patients after uncomplicated cataract surgery.