Evaluation of retinal thickness and of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema incidence in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma treated with prostaglandin analogues

Abstract

Background. Cataract is often associated with primary glaucoma. Prostaglandin analogues use is considered to be a risk factor for pseudophakic cystoid macular edema.
 Purpose. To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin analogues and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops on the central retinal thickness and the incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
 Materials and methods. 91 patients were enrolled in the study. 22 patients (22 eyes) were included in the first main group and 22 patients (22 eyes) were included in the second main groups. All patients in main groups had glaucoma and used prostaglandin analogues. 47 patients (57 eyes) without glaucoma were included in the control group. All patients were treated with topical antibiotics and steroids after phacoemulsification. Patients in the main second and in the control groups also received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops. The retinal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography 2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months after the operation.
 Results. After the operation, the foveal thickness in patients of the first and the second groups was increased, but it had returned to the preoperative level after 6 months in the first group and after 2 months in the second group. The retinal thickness in the fovea in the control group decreased after the surgery and it has been increasing gradually but did not achieve the preoperative value.
 Conclusion. Prostaglandin analogues use after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation does not affect the incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. Prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops after the surgery helps to achieve faster normalization of the central retinal thickness.