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Optical coherence tomography angiography parameters after cataract surgery

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the changes in macular blood flow after cataract surgery through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

Methods

In this prospective case series, 50 patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery by the resident were included. OCT-A images and complete ocular examinations were performed at baseline, 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The changes in OCT-A parameters including foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, vessel density (VD) of superficial and deep plexus, and central macular thickness were assessed before and after surgery. Cataract grading, intraocular inflammation, and duration of surgery were analyzed.

Results

FAZ was significantly reduced from 0.36 ± 0.13 mm2 at baseline to 0.32 ± 0.12 mm2 at month 1 (P < 0.001) and this reduction continued until month 3. In the superficial layer, vessel density of the fovea, parafovea, and whole image significantly increased from 13.9 ± 6.8, 43.7 ± 4.7, and 43.2 ± 4.4 at baseline to 18.4 ± 7.9, 45.7 ± 4.9, and 44.9 ± 4.5 at month 1. The increase in the vessel density of the deep layer was similar to the superficial layer. Accordingly, CMT at the fovea was significantly increased from 240.5 ± 21.99 µm at baseline to 253.1 ± 23.2 microns at month 1 (P < 0.001) and the increase significantly continued and reached 259.5 ± 22.6 µm at month 3 (P < 0.001). Accordingly, the FAZ area significantly reduced one month postoperatively. In regression analysis, CMT changes positively correlated with cataract grading. FAZ area negatively correlated with intraocular inflammation on the first postoperative day.

Conclusion

The present study shows that CMT and vessel density of the macula significantly increase after uncomplicated cataract surgery, while the FAZ area reduces. Postoperative inflammation could be the possible explanation for the findings of this study.

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Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Paidarfard St., Boostan 9 St., Pasdaran, Tehran, 16666, Iran

    Ramin Nourinia, Ali Kiani, Kiana Hassanpour, Homayoun Nikkhah, Amir Faramarzi & Mehdi Emamverdi

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Ramin Nourinia, Ali Kiani & Kiana Hassanpour

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Torfeh Eye Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Homayoun Nikkhah

Authors
  1. Ramin Nourinia
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  2. Ali Kiani
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  3. Kiana Hassanpour
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  4. Homayoun Nikkhah
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  5. Amir Faramarzi
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  6. Mehdi Emamverdi
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Contributions

The research was designed by Ramin Nourinia. All members participated in data collection, drafting and critical revisions of the manuscript. Data analysis was performed by Kiana Hassanpour and Mehdi Emamverdi. All members have read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mehdi Emamverdi.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethics approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Shahid Beshti University of medical sciences.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the patients.

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Nourinia, R., Kiani, A., Hassanpour, K. et al. Optical coherence tomography angiography parameters after cataract surgery. Int Ophthalmol 43, 2679–2686 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-023-02667-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-023-02667-5

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