Investigation of macula and optic disc microvascular circulatory changes in patients undergoing pediatric cataract surgery

PURPOSE: This study reports changes in macular and optic disc microvascular parameters using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in pseudophakic patients undergoing pediatric cataract surgery.
METHODS: This observational, controlled, cross-sectional study included patients who had previously undergone pediatric cataract surgery and age-matched healthy controls. Seventeen subjects aged 5–18 years were recruited to the treatment group (Group 1). Sixteen volunteers of similar age were recruited to the control group (Group 2). A total of 33 subjects underwent detailed ophthalmologic examinations and OCTA scans. The two groups were compared in terms of their foveal, parafoveal, and optic disc blood flow and vascular density (VD) parameters on OCTA images.
RESULTS: The mean ages of the participants in Groups 1 and 2 were similar (11.88±3.60 years vs. 11.63±2.24 years, respectively). Foveal superficial and deep blood flow were lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (1.33±0.12 vs. 1.47±0.13 and 1.23±0.34 vs. 1.56±0.23, respectively, p<0.05). A wider deep layer foveal avascular zone was observed in Group 1 than in Group 2 (0.41±0.19 vs. 0.31±0.12, respectively, p=0.02). Parafoveal superficial VD and optic disc head VD were lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (51.46±4.00 vs. 55.35±4.69 and 56.46±3.01 vs. 59.37±3.06, respectively, p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Macular and optic disc vascular parameters were lower in patients who had undergone pediatric cataract surgery than in healthy controls. This result may be insightful for investigating processes that may affect retinal microvascular circulation.

Keywords: Macula, Optic disc, Optical coherence tomography angiography, Pediatric cataract, Vascular density