Early macular changes after phacoemulsification in eyes with high myopia

• Main Authors: Hossein Ashraf, Samaneh Koohestani, M Hossein Nowroozzadeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Knowledge E 2018-01-01
• Series: Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research
• Subjects: Cystoid Macular Edema; Epiretinal Membrane; Macular Hole; Myopia; Optical Coherence Tomography; Schisis; Vitreomacular Traction
• Online Access: http://www.jovr.org/article.asp?issn=2008-322X;year=2018;volume=13;issue=3;spage=249;epage=252;aulast=Ashraf

Purpose: To evaluate macular changes after cataract surgery in eyes with high myopia. Methods: This prospective cohort enrolled patients with high myopia (axial length ≥26 mm) who underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were obtained at baseline and 2 and 6 months after the operation. Postoperative macular changes on OCT scans were regarded as the main outcome measure. Results: Thirty-four eyes of 31 patients with high myopia were included (age, 60 ± 10 years [mean ± SD]); of these, 14 patients (45.2%) were male. The mean axial length was 27.8 ± 1.5 mm. Epiretinal membrane (one eye, 2.9%), lamellar hole (one eye, 2.9%), myopic foveoschisis (2 eyes, 5.9%), and vitreomacular traction associated with foveoschisis (one eye, 2.9%) were notable findings at baseline examination; no eye showed cystoid macular edema (CME) at this time. At the 2-month examination, three eyes (8.8%) developed CME. At the 6-month follow-up, one eye with CME at 2 months improved, and a new case of CME (5.6%) was detected. The characteristics of epiretinal membrane, lamellar hole, vitreomacular traction, and foveoschisis did not change at the 2- and 6-month examinations and no new cases occurred. Conclusion: Uncomplicated phacoemulsification had no significant effect on the prevalence or characteristics of pre-existing macular abnormalities in eyes with high myopia up to 6 months of follow-up. The incidence of CME 2 months after uncomplicated cataract surgery in eyes with high myopia was about 9%.