Purpose:
To measure the central macular thickness changes after phacoemulsification surgery in type 1 and type2 DM and correlate this with the degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
Methods:
This study included 60 eyes of diabetic patients (35 eyes of patients with type 1 DM and 25 eyes of patients with type 2 DM).All patients underwent uneventful phacoemulsification. The Central macular thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively.
Results:
A significant increase could be detected on the postoperative 1 and 3 months in the central macular thickness in all operated eyes. The initial preoperative average value of central macular thickness in the type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients were 182+/- 54 and 172+/-27 microns, increased to 210+/-49 and 183+/-34 microns at 1month, and to 215+/- 53 and 185+/-31 microns at 3 months after surgery, respectively. The operated eyes subdivided into 2 groups, no DR and DR groups. The mean (±SD) central macular thickness in the no DR and DR groups were 174+/-25 and 185+/- 57 microns, increased to 185+/-31 and 216+/-52 microns 1month, and to188+/-29 and 219+/- 50 microns 3 months after surgery, respectively.
Conclusions:
Diabetes influences significantly the central macular thickness even after uncomplicated phacoemulsification. The increase in macular thickness reached the maximum at 1 month postoperative, associated with diminution of vision, with limited visual improvement at 3 months. These changes were more prominent in type1 DM group than type 2 DM and DR group than no DR group.