Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography measurements of central foveal thickness before and after cataract surgery in children

PURPOSE: To compare macular thickness before and after cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in pediatric eyes.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.SETTING: University Eye Clinic, San Giuseppe Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.METHODS: The study analyzed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images of the macula in pediatric eyes in which cataract surgery had been performed and that were examined preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively.RESULTS: The mean age of the 11 patients (11 eyes) was 5.8 years + 2.2 (SD) (range 3 to 14 years). The mean macular thickness at 1 month and 3 months was significantly higher than at baseline (273.7 +/- 26.8 1.1.m and 266.0 +/- 22.8 mu m, respectively, versus 244.8 +/- 19.5 mu m; P<.0001). It reached the baseline value after 3 months and remained stable over the 12-month follow-up. The mean thicknesses at 6, 9, and 12 months were 249.1 +/- 17.6 mu m, 245.7 +/- 18.5 mu M, and 246.2 +/- 18.1 mu m, respectively (P>.05 versus baseline).CONCLUSIONS: Spectral-domain OCT was useful in evaluating the macular changes in the eyes of a cohort of pediatric patients 3 years and older. Cystoid macular edema was not observed during the 12-month follow-up. (C) 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS