Preoperative and postoperative anterior segment parameters of cataract patients with pseudoexfoliation evaluated using the Sirius–Scheimpflug system and a comparison with healthy subjects

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluation and comparison of anterior segment parameters before and after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery using the Sirius–Scheimpflug system in patients with and without pseudoexfoliation. Methods: This retrospective study included 35 eyes of 35 patients without pseudoexfoliation who underwent phacoemulsification surgery (Group 1) and 40 eyes of 37 patients with pseudoexfoliation who underwent phacoemulsification surgery (Group 2). Anterior segment parameters of the patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively using the Sirius–Scheimpflug device. Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and corneal volume (CV) values were evaluated. Results: Significant difference was observed between the preoperative and postoperative 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month values of ACA and CV between patients with pseudoexfoliation and the control group (p< 0.05). In CCT measurements, the difference between the preoperative and postoperative values at 1 week and 1 month was significant (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between the values at 3 months and 6 months. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification surgery results in a significant reduction in intraocular pressure, an increase in ACD, ACH, and CV, and a widening of the ACA. In patients with pseudoexfoliation, the change in parameters is more dramatic due to the stress exerted on the endothelium by the exfoliative material. When comparing patients with pseudoexfoliation to normal subjects, significant differences were observed, both preoperatively and postoperatively, particularly in CCT, ACA, and CV values.