Macular edema induced by phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the association between lens phacoemulsification and the development of macular edema.


METHODS
We studied 15 patients who underwent lens phacoemulsification in our clinic between January and April 1998 performed by the same surgeon. Ultrasound power and cumulative time was noted. Follow-up was performed at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after operation. On each visit corneal thickness, best corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy and fluorescein angiography were performed. Patients with systemic diseases and/or retinal diseases were not included.


RESULTS
Visual acuity was inversely related to the amount of energy delivered during phacoemulsification. In patients who had received more than 1 Joule of energy, fluorescein angiography revealed a higher incidence of blood retinal barrier breakdown. Corneal thickness was not correlated with the ultrasound energy used.


CONCLUSIONS
Excessive use of power during phacoemulsification may hamper the postoperative evolution of cataract surgery.
Ferrari
T M
TM
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bari, Italy.
Cavallo
M
M
Durante
G
G
Mininno
L
L
Cardascia
N
N
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity