A method of reporting macular edema after cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To validate a method of reporting postcataract macular edema (ME) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).


METHODS
: Data were analyzed for 130 eyes followed prospectively for ME after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Each eye underwent OCT within 4 weeks before surgery and at 1 month and 3 months after surgery. ME was defined by observation of cystoid changes by OCT.


RESULTS
Incidence of ME was 14% (95% confidence interval, 8-20). Average increase in baseline center point thickness (CPT) +/- SD at 1 month for eyes with and without ME was 202 +/- 113 microm and 8 +/- 19 microm, respectively (P < 0.001), which resulted in a 1-letter loss (-0.02 logMAR [logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution]) and a 3-line gain (0.29 logMAR) in vision, respectively (P < 0.001). Percent change in baseline CPT +/- SD for eyes with and without ME was 115 +/- 67% and 6 +/- 11%, respectively (P < 0.001). A > or =40% increase in baseline CPT accurately determined 100% of eyes with ME and 99% of eyes without ME.


CONCLUSIONS
A > or =40% increase in baseline CPT, determined by OCT, offers a valid and objective method of reporting clinically relevant postcataract ME. Standardized reporting of postcataract ME would allow objective assessment and comparison of treatment outcomes among clinical studies.
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Skim30@gmail.com
Stephen J
SJ
Kim
Marie-Lyne
ML
Belair
Neil M
NM
Bressler
James P
JP
Dunn
Jennifer E
JE
Thorne
Sanjay R
SR
Kedhar
Douglas A
DA
Jabs
D000368:Aged; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*