MEAN CHANGE IN CENTRAL MACULAR THICKNESS IN DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AFTER PHACOEMULSIFICATION

Objective: To compare the mean change in central macular thickness (CMT) of type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy after phacoemulsification. Quasi experimental study at ophthalmology department of Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from 06-11-2021 to 06-05-2022. Methods: A total of 126 patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes were recruited from the outpatient department through convenient sampling. Complete history and examination were done and diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed with slit lamp using +78D lens. CMT was measured by OCT before phacoemulsification and one month after surgery. Change in CMT was compared between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. Results: Mean age of patients was 59.52±8.81 years and mean HbA1c was 7.70+ 1.27 mg/dl. Mean pre-operative, post-operative and change in CMT were 240.80+16.54, 271.19+41.28 and 30.39+34.57µm respectively. There were 52.4% males and 47.6% females. Patients with DR had higher CMT as compared to patients without DR (p=0.000). Conclusion: There is a significant increase in CMT of patients with DR who undergo phacoemulsification. Strict diabetic control is needed before surgery and intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF may be given is high risk patients