Influence of cataract surgery on macular vascular density in patients with myopia using optical coherence tomography angiography

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate macular vascular density (MVD) variation after uneventful cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with high myopia. Patients with cataracts scheduled for cataract surgery were divided into a high-myopia group [spherical equivalent (SE)≤-6.0 diopter (D) and axial length (AL)≥25 mm] and a low-myopia group (SE>-6.0 D and AL<25 mm). All patients were examined for MVD and retinal thickness (RT) with OCTA pre-operatively and post-operatively (1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after surgery). A total of 55 eyes from 44 patients were included. MVD and RT both changed after cataract surgery. The mean change in superficial vascular density (SVD) in patients with high myopia was significantly lower than that in the low-myopia group at the four post-operative time-points (all P<0.05). In addition, the RT of eyes with high myopia exhibited a different variation compared with that of the low-myopia group. Significant correlations were identified between AL, RT, intraocular pressure and SVD after surgery. In conclusion, superficial retinal perfusion in patients with high myopia was significantly lower than that in low myopia patients, which may lead to complications caused by poor perfusion.

Keywords: cataract; high myopia; low myopia; macular vascular density; optical coherence tomography angiography; phacoemulsification.

Copyright © 2020, Spandidos Publications.

Figures

Figure 1

Determination of retinal vessels by optical coherence tomography angiography. (A) The horizontal (upper panel) and vertical (lower panel) scan of SVP. (B) The horizontal (upper panel) and vertical (lower panel) image of DVP. The parafovea of macular was divided into T, S, N, I quadrants. The green line indicates the line between SVP and DVP. The white arrow indicates the scan direction. SVP, superficial vascular plexus; DVP, deep vascular plexus; T, temporal; S, superior; N, nasal; I, inferior.

Figure 2

Variation in macular vascular density (expressed as a percentage) and RT (mm) of groups A and B prior to and after surgery. (A) Macular vascular density. P

Figure 3

Mean change (%) in SVD and DVD at four time-points after surgery in the two groups. (A) SVD and (B) DVD. *P<0.05. P-values were calculated by generalized estimating equations. Groups: A, high myopia; B, low myopia. SVD, superficial vascular density; DVD, deep vascular density.

Figure 4

Correlation between axial length and superficial vascular density. (A) Baseline. (B) 1 day post-op. (C) 1 week post-op. (D) 1 month post-op. (E) 3 months post-op. The r value is the correlation coefficient. P-values were calculated using Pearson's correlation.

Figure 5

Correlation between superficial vascular density and superficial retinal thickness in the parafovea. (A) Baseline. (B) 1 day post-op. (C) 1 week post-op. (D) 1 month post-op. (E) 3 months post-op. The r value is the correlation coefficient. P-values were calculated by Pearson's correlation.