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：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. Correlations between the rate of change of pre- and post-operative vascular densities and surgical parameters were analyzed.Results: 123 eyes of 107 patients were recruited. Compared with baseline measurements, no statistically significant variation was found in macular vascular densities of 1 day after surgery (P>0.05). While both superficial and deep macular vascular densities were significantly increased postoperatively on week 1 and week 4 (P<0.05; P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the FAZ parameters between the baseline measurements and the entire follow-up period (P>0.05 for all). There were no statistically significant correlations between main surgical parameters and the changes of macular vascular densities.Conclusions: In normal eyes, macular blood perfusion gradually increased after phacoemulsification cataract surgery and was stabilized in one week. Foveal avascular zone was basically stable before and after surgery. Main parameters and intraoperative perfusion of phacoemulsification surgery may not be the key factors affecting macular hemodynamics.