The changes of thickness of central macular retina and choroid after phacoemulsification in eyes with diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Objective To observe the changes of central macular retinal thickness(CMRT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFCT) after phacoemulsification in eyes with non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients of cataract with DR and 30 eyes of 30 patients of cataract without diabetes were enrolled. The DR patients were divided into ME+ group and ME-group according to evidence of clinically significant macular edema. All cases were examined by optical coherence tomography before cataract surgery and repeated 1 month after surgery. The changes of CMRT (r<500 μm) and SFCT were observed. Results DR groups included 24 eyes of ME-group and 15 eyes of ME+ group. No complication occurred during or after operation. After surgery the CMRT in three groups were more than those before surgery (P=0.002, 0.007, 0.001), but no significant change was verified for SFCT in all groups (P=0.058, 0.264, 0.514). Conclusion The CMRT of DR or non DR patients is more after phacoemusification than before surgery. There is no change in SFCT after surgery. Key words: Cataract; Phacoemulsification; Thickness, retina, choroid; Retinopathy, diabetic