Assessment of the Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer after Uncomplicated Cataract Surgery

TL;DR

This study found that retinal ganglion cell layer thickness changes after cataract surgery, affecting visual acuity, especially when microcysts or cystoid macular edema are present.

Contribution

The study identifies a novel relationship between ganglion cell layer thickness and visual acuity changes following cataract surgery.

Findings

Postoperative increase in retinal ganglion cell layer thickness is linked to better visual acuity after cataract surgery.

Microcysts reduce ganglion cell layer thickness and are associated with decreased visual acuity.

Cystoid macular edema one month post-surgery is related to preoperative central macular thickness.

Abstract

(1) Background: This research aimed to evaluate the changes in ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT) after uncomplicated cataract surgery in patients without previous ocular pathology and the impact of the appearance of cystoid macular edema on the GCLT and visual acuity. (2) Methods: The evaluation of 174 patients was performed with the indication of uncomplicated cataract surgery. The variables analyzed were demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cataract type and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) measurements of central macular thickness (CMT), and the presence of cysts and GCLT preoperatively and one day, one and three months after surgery. (3) Results: There was a relationship between the postoperative increase in retinal GCLT and BCVA after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The presence of microcysts reduced the thickness of the GCL, which is significantly related to the loss of BCVA. The appearance of cystoid macular edema one month after surgery was also related to the preoperative CMT. There was a statistically significant decrease in preoperative GCL but a statistically significant increase in preoperative CMT in patients with microcysts one-month post-surgery. (4) Conclusions: There is a relationship between postoperative retinal GCLT and BCVA after uncomplicated cataract surgery. The presence of microcysts significantly reduces the thickness of the GCL, which is significantly related to the loss of BCVA.