Evaluation of macular and peri-papillary blood vessel density following uncomplicated phacoemulsification in diabetics using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the macular and peri-papillary blood vessel density following uncomplicated phacoemulsification in diabetics using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

Methods: An observational case-control study was conducted on 60 patients eligible for phacoemulsification, divided equally into diabetic and control groups. Both study groups were matching in sex, age, and axial length. We excluded diabetic patients of any form of macular edema or treatment history for macular edema. All study participants were subjected to preoperative OCT and OCT-A, which was repeated for all study population 1 month postoperatively.

Results: We had a mean age of 54.5 ± 6.34 years in the non-diabetic group and 57.2 ± 4.09 years in the diabetic group (P = 0.06). There was a significant increase in the mean value of the macular blood vessels density in the nasal area in both study groups (P = 0.047 in non-diabetic group, P = 0.002 in the diabetic group). The percentage of the radial peripapillary capillary plexus vessel density (RPCP VD) change was non-significant on comparing the results for the diabetic group (mean preoperative value = 52.8 ± 4.47, postoperative = 52.0 ± 4.59, P = 0.204, Δ is the preoperative-postoperative value = 0.8), and also was non-significant for the non-diabetic group (mean preoperative value = 50.9 ± 4.89, postoperative = 52.1 ± 4.89, P = 0. 0.090, Δ = -1.3). On comparing the results of the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, the RPCP VD Δ was significantly different (P = 0.034).

Conclusion: Uncomplicated phacoemulsification results in increase of the nasal macular blood vessel density in the normal population and in diabetic patients without retinopathy.