Evaluation of Cystoid Macular Edema Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Fundus Autofluorescence after Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification Surgery

Aim. To investigate the utility of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the evaluation of cystoid macular edema (CME) following cataract surgery. Materials and Methods. Forty eyes of 29 patients undergone phacoemulsification, with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation surgery. Central macular thickness (CMT) of the patients was evaluated using OCT and FAF preoperatively and postoperative 1st, 30th, 60th, 90th, and 180th days. Results. CME was detected in three eyes (7.5%) of two patients using OCT. Hyperautofluorescence (HAF) was detected in two of these three eyes and resolved with treatment. In the remaining 37 eyes without CME, there was a significant increase in visual acuity when compared to preoperative values (P = 0.008) Mean macular thicknesses (MMT) of the eyes without CME were 174 ± 20  μ m preoperatively and 179 ± 22  μ m at day 1, 178 ± 19  μ m at 1st month, and 168 ± 10  μ m at 6th month postoperatively. In the eyes with CME, the MMTs, measured with OCT were 189 ± 23  μ m preoperatively and 432 ± 361 on day 1, 343 ± 123  μ m at 1st month, 345 ± 196 at 2nd month, and 200 ± 36  μ m at 6th month postoperatively. Conclusion. We found a moderate increase in CMT in the first 3 months postoperatively, in the eyes without CME which did not cause visual disturbances. FAF is a noninvasive, rapid method for the evaluation and follow-up of CME following cataract surgery.