Effects of cataract extraction with intraocular lens placement on scanninglaser polarimetry of the peripapillary nerve fiber layer

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of cataract extraction with intraocular l ens placement on scanning laser polarimetry of the peripapillary nerve fibe r layer. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Thirty-four eyes of 33 patients undergoing phacoemulsification cat aract surgery with intraocular lens were imaged using the GDx Nerve Fiber A nalyzer within 4 weeks before and at least 4 weeks after cataract surgery. Preoperative and postoperative mean images were compared. The effects of ca taract severity and type, and intraocular lens material, were also examined . RESULTS: Comparison of preoperative and postoperative mean scanning laser p olarimetry measurements revealed that eyes in which acrylic intraocular len ses (n = 11) were placed had a significant increase in scanning laser polar imetry for the total band circumference, and superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants (P less than or equal to .041). Placement of silicone (n = 15) an d polymethylmethacrylate (n = 8) intraocular lenses did not result in stati stically significant changes in scanning laser polarimetry measurements. Ho wever, eight of 34 eyes (23.5%) had changes of 15% or more postoperatively in the total circumference measurement, including eyes with acrylic, silico ne, and polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract extraction with intraocular lens was associated with a statistically significant change in mean scanning laser polarimetry value s in eyes that received an acrylic intraocular lens. In individual patients , clinically important changes (15% or greater) in scanning laser polarimet ry measurements were not uncommon irrespective of intraocular lens type. Ne w baseline scanning laser polarimetry measurements may be warranted in eyes that undergo cataract extraction with intraocular lens. (C) 2001 by Elsevi er Science Inc. All rights reserved.