The influence of high myopia and hyperopia on the retinal and the optic disc vascularization after uncomplicated phacoemulsification - preliminary report

Abstract

Aim of the study: To evaluate the influence of phacoemulsification on macular and the optic disc vascularization and its association with different axial lengths, in particular high myopia and hyperopia. Material and methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients with cataract were assessed pre-operatively and 1 month after surgery. Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 included patients with hyperopia, Group 2 included patients with high myopia and Group 3 included healthy persons without hyperopia or myopia. Exam-inations included measurement of best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, axial length, a slit lamp biomicroscopy and OCT angiography. Results: The mean BCDVA significantly improved in all groups. Pre-operatively, no significant differences between the groups were present, however, post-operatively, the mean macular volume was much larger in the hyperopic and myopic groups, when compared to the normo-axial group. There was a significant increase in the vessel density and length of the superficial plexus of the macula in groups 1 and 3. Deep plexus macular vessel length increased significantly in group 3. Changes in the optic disc area size, as well as Cup-to-disc ratio (C/D ratio) were insignificant. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickened postoperatively in all groups, although it was only significant in the hyperopic group. Preoperatively, the myopic group had a much thinner mean RNFL than the other groups. Radial peripapillary capillary density increased significantly in group 2 and group 3 postoperatively. Conclusions: This study reveals retinal microvascular changes in highly myopic and hyperopic eyes, which correlates with axial length. Both axial length extremes presented a worse retinal vascular architecture, but improved after the phacoemulsification surgery in terms of vascularity.