Optical coherence tomography angiography evaluation of the effects of phacoemulsification cataract surgery on macular hemodynamics in Chinese normal eyes

Abstract

Background: To quantitatively evaluate the possible effects of phacoemulsification cataract surgery on macular hemodynamics using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Superficial and deep macular vascular densities, as well as parameters of foveal avascular zone (FAZ), were measured preoperatively (baseline) and at 1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks postoperatively in normal eyes (≥22 mm and ≤24 mm) of patients scheduled for phacoemulsification cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. The correlations between the rate of change of pre- and post-operative vascular densities and surgical parameters were analyzed. Results: A total of 123 eyes of 107 patients were included in this study. Compared to the baseline measurements, no statistically significant variation was found in macular vascular densities at 1 day after the surgery (P>0.05). Both superficial and deep macular vascular densities were significantly increased postoperatively at weeks 1 and week 4 (P<0.05; P<0.05), however no statistically significant differences were detected in any of the FAZ parameters between the baseline measurements and the entire follow-up period (P>0.05 for all). Also, no statistically significant correlations were established between main surgical parameters and macular vascular densities changes. Conclusions: In normal eyes, macular blood perfusion gradually increased after phacoemulsification cataract surgery and was stabilized in one week. The foveal avascular zone was stabilized before and after the surgery. The main parameters and intraoperative perfusion of phacoemulsification surgery may not be the key factors affecting macular hemodynamics.