Cystoid Macular Edema after Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Performed by Residents

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the frequency and outcome of management of cystoid macular edema after extracapsular cataract extraction performed by residents.Study Design: Interventional case series.Place and Duration of Study: Lady Reading Hospital, MTI, Peshawar from Oct 2018 to Oct 2019.Material and Methods: Total 400 patients with mature cataract were included in our study. Patients having preexistingdisease such as uveitis, hypertensive retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and retinal degenerations wereexcluded. All surgeries were performed by 4th year residents under supervision. Complicated cases before orduring surgery were excluded from the study. Cystoid macular edema cases were classified as follows; acuteoccurring within three months of cataract extraction and with duration fewer than 6 months, chronic persistingmore than 6 months. Patients were either managed conservatively or with anti-VEGF. All cases were followed for3 months or longer until resolution of cystoid macular edema.Results: Twenty patients developed cystoid macular edema out of which 16 patients (80%) improved withconservative treatment and 4 patients (20%) developed resistant cystoid macular edema. All four patients weregiven intravitreal bevacizumab injection monthly for three months. Our findings showed that best corrected visualacuity (BCVA) before injection ranged from 6/60 to 6/24. After three injections BCVA improved between 6/18 to6/6. Pre injection central subfield thickness (CSFT) was between 611 to 480 micron which improved to 272 -260micron after injections.Conclusion: Cystoid macular edema responds well to conservative treatment but resistant cases need repeatedinj of anti VEGF.