Retinal and choroidal thickness after femtosecond laser-assisted and standard phacoemulsification

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term changes in retina and choroidal tissue after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and standard phacoemulsification (PE) surgery.

Methods

In all, 25 eyes undergoing FLACS and 27 eyes undergoing PE surgery were included in this nonrandomized, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Central retinal thickness (CRT) and choroidal thickness (CT) were measured pre- and postoperatively (at day 1, 1 week later, and after 1 month) with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in all patients and were compared. For group comparisons, chi-square test and independent t-test were used. Postoperative values were compared to the baseline using a paired t-test. The magnitude of the change from baseline to the peak was analyzed by multiple regression models in an attempt to explain possible influence variables.

Results

Pre and postoperative CRT measurements were similar in both groups. The mean subfoveal CT at day 1, after 1 week, and 1 month were significantly higher than baseline CT measurements in the PE group.

Conclusion

FLACS might have an advantage in regard to postoperative choroidal changes.

Keywords:

• femtosecond laser
• cataract
• visual acuity
• central retinal thickness
• choroidal thickness
• optical coherence tomography

Acknowledgments

The Institutional Review Board of Van Education and Training Hospital approved this study (affirmation number: 2017/2).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.