Optical Coherence Tomography of Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Complex After Cataract Extraction

Comparison Between OCT Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Complex Parameters Following Cataract Extraction in Patients With or Without Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) is done before and after cataract extraction in patients with or without primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)

The investigator's study includes two groups of patients, each consists of 25 eyes, group 1 (cataract group)includes patients who are planned for cataract extraction without any other preexisting retinal or optic nerve pathology that may affect the RNFL thickness, while group 2 (combined cataract and glaucoma group) includes patients who are diagnosed with POAG controlled on medical treatment with cataract and planned for cataract extraction only.

The OCT scans with complete ophthalmological examination are done before surgery and 6 weeks after uneventful cataract extraction (phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation)

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with cataract without any other concomitant retinal, optic nerve head pathology other than POAG are included in the study and divided onto two groups

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients having any retinal or optic nerve pathology that might have affected nerve fiber layer thickness other than POAG eg: high myopia
• POAG patients who are planned for combined surgery
• Refractive errors greater than spherical equivalent of 6 diopters (myopia or hypermetropia)
• Dense cataract hindering OCT imaging
• History of previous ocular surgery or trauma