Macular Changes after Uneventful Phacoemulsification in Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Hospital

Purpose was to evaluate the subclinical influence of uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery on foveal thickness in the early postoperative period.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted on 50 eyes of 44 subjects who underwent uneventful phacoemulsification in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research center (KFSH&RC). They were divided into

Groups: Diabetes mellitus group consisted of 25 eyes (21 diabetic patients), Control group consisted of 25 eyes (23 non-diabetic patients). Best corrected visual acuity and Optical coherence tomography were recorded preoperatively, 2 weeks, one month and two months postoperative.

Results: Despite that Mean foveal thickness was stable 2 weeks, 1 month and 2 months postoperative in the control group; our study showed significant increase in mean foveal thickness (MFT) 1 month and 2 months post-operative in diabetic group compared to the 2nd week postoperative. However, after converting the MFT into Log OCT, the MFT in diabetic and control groups was stable postoperatively without any step deterioration.

Conclusion: Diabetic patients may need prophylactic therapy before cataract surgery.

Keywords: Macular edema; Phacoemulsification; Optical coherence tomography; Diabetes mellitus

Abbreviations: KFSH&RC: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center; OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography; BCVA: Best Corrected Visual Acuity; DR: Diabetic Retinopathy