Choroidal thickness changes following cataract surgery using swept source optical coherence tomography

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), after routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Design: This is a prospective, interventional, controlled study that took place at Shahzad Eye Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, between February 2015 and January 2016. Participants: One hundred and one patients who were undergoing routine cataract surgery were recruited. One eye per patient was included. The unoperated fellow eyes acted as controls. Methods: Swept-source optical coherence tomography scans were performed preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. Two independent graders evaluated the scans to measure the SFCT. The SFCT was measured and recorded for OCT scans from each visit. The general linear model repeated analysis technique was used to assess data from the 3 different time intervals, and paired t tests were used to assess a statistically significant difference between mean preoperative and postoperative SFCT. Probability values of less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean preoperative SFCT in the study eye was 272.9 ± 96.2; SFCT was 278.9 ± 101.4 (p = 0.051) and 281.5 ± 105.2 (p = 0.01) at week 1 and month 1, respectively. In the control eyes, the mean measurement of preoperative SFCT was 274.2 ± 98.5; measurements were 273.8 ± 100.7 (p = 0.875) and 277.9 ± 103.1 (p = 0.063) at week 1 and month 1, respectively. Conclusions: There was a gradual increase in SFCT at 1 month after cataract removal in the study eyes. The effect was more pronounced in younger individuals and nondiabetic individuals.