Diabetic Retinopathy and OCT-A Changes Post-cataract Surgery

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Changes Post-cataract Surgery in Patients With and Without Diabetic Retinopathy

The purpose of this study is to use optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) to compare retinal vasculature after uncomplicated cataract surgery in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy.

Patients undergoing cataract surgery who provided informed consent were enrolled in the study. There were three comparison groups: control, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) groups. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) scans measuring retinal thickness, vessel density, perfusion density, and foveal avascular zone were obtained at baseline and postoperative week one, month one and month three.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients at Uptown Eye Specialists undergoing uneventful cataract surgery who have provided informed consent to the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other ocular co-morbidities such as axial length < 22.0 mm or > 25.0 mm, previous ocular surgeries, previous history of uveitis, previous ocular trauma, cornea pathologies or glaucoma, intraocular pressures over 22 mmHg
• In groups 1 and 2: previous retinal laser treatments
• OCT-A signal strength < 6
• Use of multifocal intraocular lens
• Second eye (if first eye recruited)
• In Group 1: No diabetes mellitus as past medical history