Comparative study of effect of phacoemulsification on central macular thickness in diabetic and nondiabetic patients assessed with spectral domain optical coherence tomography

Purpose: The aim of this work was to study the effect of uneventful phacoemulsification on central macular thickness (CMT) in diabetic and nondiabetic patients as assessed with spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational, comparative, cohort study was carried out at a tertiary care center in North India from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. A total of 90 diabetic patients and 95 nondiabetic controls undergoing phacoemulsification surgery were evaluated. CMT and visual acuity (VA) were noted preoperatively and postoperatively at the 6th and 12th weeks, respectively. Results: A total of 185 patients, 95 nondiabetic, and 90 diabetic patients were included in the study. The mean age (years) of the study population was 64.56 (10.38). The subclinical increase in macular thickness was maximum at 6 weeks postoperatively (P < 0.001) and was more in diabetic as compared to nondiabetic patients. Final macular thickness at 12 weeks was comparable in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients (P < 0.05). However, the difference in change in macular thickness (preoperative versus postoperative) between the two groups was not clinically significant at 6 weeks (0.67 µm) and 12 weeks (0.08 µm). Conclusion: Uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery with posterior chamber implantation of an intraocular lens is associated with subclinical macular thickening. However, there is no significant increase in macular thickness after phacoemulsification, irrespective of the glycemic status.