Macular thickness changes after phacoemulsification combined with primary posterior curvilinear capsulorhexis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the changes in central macular thickness measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) after cataract surgery combined with primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC).


METHODS
Forty-six eyes of 40 consecutive patients who had uneventful phacoemulsification and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation surgery with primary PCCC, taking place between August 2005 and January 2006 in Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, were enrolled. Patients with a history of previous ocular surgery, eye trauma, uveitis, or glaucoma, or any systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, were excluded from the study. None of the cases had macular pathology before surgery. OCT was performed in all patients preoperatively and postoperatively on the first day, first week, and first, third, and sixth months.


RESULTS
Significant quantitative changes from the preoperative examination were observed in the postoperative first week, first month, and third month (p<0.05). The difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative sixth month central macular thickness was not statistically significant (p=0.20). The greatest change in mean macular thickness was noted in the first month visit. No patient developed cystoid macular edema.


CONCLUSIONS
Because primary PCCC does not have an adverse effect on macular integrity, this procedure may be preferred especially in patients with a high risk of posterior capsular opacification.
Yazici
Ahmet Taylan
AT
Beyoğlu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ahmettaylan19@hotmail.com
Bozkurt
Ercument
E
Altan
Cig Dem
CD
Albayrak
Sinan
S
Cakir
Mehmet
M
Alagoz
Nese
N
Yilmaz
Omer Faruk
OF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019923:Capsulorhexis / Q000379:methods*; D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult