Evaluation of the Effect of Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery on Retina and Optic Disc: Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of uncomplicated cataract surgery on microvascular structure of fovea, parafovea, optic disc, and peripapillary area with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: The study included 53 eyes of 53 patients, who undergone uncomplicated cataract surgery. The day before cataract surgery and at the 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month after surgery, best-corrected visual acuity, foveal avascular zone, acircularity index, superficial and deep foveal density, superficial and deep parafoveal density, central macular thickness, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness value, and peripapillary vascular density were measured with OCTA. Results: The mean age of the patients was 62.1 ± 7.2 years (range, 42–69 years) and the sex of the patients was 25 male and 28 female. The foveal avascular zone value was decreased compared to the preoperative value (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in acircularity index postoperatively (p > 0.05). There was a significant increase in superficial and deep foveal density and superficial and deep parafoveal density (p < 0.05). According to preoperative period, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and inside disc capillary density of optic disc increased significantly (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in peripapillary vascular density postoperatively (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Changes in the vascular density of the retina were detected with OCTA in eyes without ocular or systemic disease, which underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery. In the postsurgical period, OCTA provides important information in the evaluation and follow-up of these changes.