Evaluation of Macular Perfusion Analyzed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography after Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification

Abstract Background Age related cataract is one of the commonest causes of diminution of vision worldwide. Phacoemulsification is one of the most common surgical procedures in the world1. Changes in arterial blood pressure, position of blood vessels, venous return of blood and CO2 levels all influence eye perfusion during cataract surgery. The exact impact of phacoemulsification on macular perfusion is unknown2&3. Purpose To investigate the changes of macular perfusion parameters after uncomplicated phacoemulsification using an optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Subjects and Methods Thirty eyes of 30 cataractous patients, who had uneventful phacoemulsification with implantation of IOL in the bag, were enrolled in this cohort study. Participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic assessment and measurement of macular perfusion parameters using optical coherence tomography angiography preoperatively and one week, one month, and three months postoperatively. Results There was statistically significant increase in the level of parafoveal retinal thickness and perifoveal retinal thickness in postoperative visits than preoperative visits. We have also found statistically significant increase in the level of grid central vessel density in both superficial and deep capillary plexuses in postoperative visits than preoperative visits. Conclusion Phacoemulsification positively increases retinal thickness particularly at parafovea and increases vascularity in the center of fovea which makes phacoemulsification beneficial even beyond visual restoration.