Comparison of macular thickness change by optical coherence tomography after uncomplicated cataract surgery in eyes with and without exfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of exfoliation syndrome (ES) on macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Methods: 87 patients (87 eyes) who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery were included in the study. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) films were taken in addition to the routine ophthalmologic examination before the surgery and at postoperative 1st week, 1st, 3rd and 6th months. Mean macular thickness, central macular thickness and macular volume values obtained from the 6 × 6 mm macular map in the OCT measurements were recorded. The cases were divided into two groups as Group 1: cases without ES and Group 2: cases with ES. The macular values obtained from the OCT measurements of the two groups were compared with statistical methods.

Results: Eighty-seven eyes were included in the study; while 51 had no ES (Group 1), 36 had ES (Group 2). The mean age of all cases was 66.70 ± 9.13 years. While the mean macular thickness, central macular thickness and macular volume were similar at the preoperative visit and the postoperative 1st week of all cases (each p value > 0.05); these values were higher at the postoperative 1st, 3rd and 6th month compared to the preoperative and the postoperative 1st week values (each p value < 0.05). The highest values were obtained at the postoperative 1st month; while the values of 1st, 3rd and 6th months were statistically similar (each p value > 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of macular volume, central macular thickness and average macular thickness in these periods.

Conclusion: Exfoliation syndrome has not been evaluated as a risk factor for an increase in macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery.