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Μεταβολές του πάχους και του αγγειακού δικτύου του αμφιβληστροειδή μετά από ανεπίπλεκτη φακοθρυψία για την αντιμετώπιση του γεροντικού καταρράκτη (Master thesis)

Κοκοράκης, Ευάγγελος

Purpose. To measure the retinal quantity vessel parameters and the thickness of ganglion cell complex (GCC) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) before and after uncomplicated phacoemulsification due to senile cataract. Materials and Methods. A prospective study was performed at the Eye Clinic of the “Korgialeneio-Mpenakeio” H.R.C. General Hospital of Athens, in which patients with planned cataract surgery participated. The measurement of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and the measurements with OCTA were taken preoperatively and repeated 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Results. Twenty five patients with mean age of 70.16 years ± 8.88 (SD) were included in the final analysis. 76% of the eyes had a nuclear cataract. At 1 month postoperatively there was a mean 1.96 ± 0.32 (19.6% ± 3.2%) increase of image quality (P = 0.014), while the mean increase in BCVA was 0.56 ± 0.27 (P=0.01). There was also a mean 1.17% and 2.18% increase in the density of superficial and deep capillary plexuses (P<0.015) at the fovea respectively, with the biggest mean increase (1.1-4.5%) appearing at the superior, nasal and inferior quadrants of the parafoveal area. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and perimeter showed a decrease at all 3 postoperative measurements (P<0.0014), while the mean thickness of GCC remained almost unchanged (P=0.17). The changes in vessel density at some parts of the macula were positively correlated with the changes in BCVA, IOP, and age, gender and axial length. Conclusions. An increase was reported in vessel density at the fovea and the parafoveal area 1 month after surgery. The FAZ showed a decrease and a minor change was seen in GCC thickness. These findings confirm the significant influence of cataract on image quality and blood flow measurements.