The influence of phacoemulsification on the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of high myopia

Abstract

Objective To observe the change of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of high myopia patients in short-term period after phacoemulsification. Methods Fifty-two eyes of 46 patients treated by phacoemulsification and IOL implantation from September 2013 to December 2013 in Tongji Hospital were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, age related cataract group (group A) with 27 eyes of 24 cases and cataract combined with high myopia group (group B) with 25 eyes of 22 cases. The thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in all cases were measured with optical coherence tomography(OCT), and the changes of RNFL thickness on 1 d, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery were compared with preoperative thickness. Results Before surgery, the mean thickness of RNFL was (94.43±9.35)μm in group A, compared with (90.68±10.15)μm in group B. There was statistical difference in RNFL thickness between two groups (t=-3.653, P<0.001). At 1st postoperative day, there was no statistical significant change of the RNFL thickness in both groups (94.32±9.15 μm v. s. 91.32±10.06 μm). From the first postoperative week, the RNFL thickness began to thickening, the values raised to maximum of (100.65±10.25)μm and (98.09±7.57)μm in two groups respectively. There was statistical difference in the change of RNFL thickness in both groups between preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively (t=-5.384, P=0.000; t=-4.844, P=0.000). To the sixth postoperative month, the RNFL thickness around the optic disc became thinning. Conclusion Phacoemulsification perhaps influence the RNFL of high myopia patients. Key words: Phacoemulsification; Retinal nerve fiber layer; Myopia, high; Optical coherence tomography