Optic nerve head microvascular changes after phacoemulsification surgery

• Published in: Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology 2019-12, Vol.257 (12), p.2729-2733
• Main Authors: Karabulut, Müjdat, Karabulut, Sinem, Sül, Sabahattin, Karalezli, Aylin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Angiography; Cataracts; Cornea; Edema; Glaucoma; Macular degeneration; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microvasculature; Ophthalmology; Optic nerve; Retina; Surgery
• ISSN: 0721-832X; 1435-702X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04473-1

Background To determine optic nerve head (ONH) microvascular changes detected by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and intraocular pressure changes (IOPs) after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery. Methods The study was designed as a prospective observational study. Twenty-four eyes were included. Eyes with retinal vascular pathology, any type of age-related macular degeneration, IOP more than 21 mmHg, axial length less than 20 mm and more than 24 mm, corneal edema and cataracts that can disrupt images, and history of ocular surgery were excluded. Patients underwent OCTA imaging and IOP measurement preoperatively (baseline) and postoperatively (weeks 1 and 4). Vessel density % (VD) in the total disc, peripapillary, and inside disc were measured. IOP was measured with the applanation tonometer. Comparison of VD and IOP and correlation between VD and İOP change were determined. Results VD was significantly increased in all quadrants in week 4 compared to those in week 1. In terms of VD and IOP, although there was no significant difference between week 1 and baseline, week 4 results were significantly different from baseline ( p