Comparison of postoperative cystoid macular edema in manual SICS vs phacoemulsification

To compare the macular edema occurring in patients postoperatively in uncomplicated manual SICS and uncomplicated phacoemulsification on the basis of macular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Prospective, randomized, parallel group and comparative study. 60 patients having cataract attending Eye OPD at our institute were included.

Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups with 30 patients in each group. Group 1 consisted of patients undergoing manual SICS. Group 2 consisted of patients undergoing phacoemulsification. The total period of follow up was 12 weeks. Retinal thickness as evaluated with OCT was the parameter under study. During the study the patients visited the hospital at Day 1 and 4, 12 weeks.

An increase in macular thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery was seen in both groups. Cystoid macular oedema was not diagnosed clinically in any of the patients at any visit. However, central subfield macular thickness was more following manual SICS compared to phacoemulsication but increase was subclinical.

Both surgical techniques achieve excellent surgical outcomes with low complication rates.