Retinal thickness in diabetic macular edema: A study using optical coherence tomography (OCT)

Introduction: Macular edema is the most frequent cause of visual impairment in patients with Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR). Clinically they are differentiated as focal and diffuse. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can measure the retinal thickness and assess the response of surgery. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of OCT as an investigative tool in diabetic macular edema. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done among 30 consecutive eyes with Clinically Significant Macular Edema (CSME) over 8 months in our institution and divided into two groups with 15 each as focal and diffuse on the basis of fundus bio-microscopy and fluorescein angiography. Baseline measurements were done by OCT. Patients were followed up after surgery at 4 weeks and 12 weeks with repeat measurements. Data entered in excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS software. Data presented as tables and graphs with Spearman's correlation and Paired t test. Results: Among 15 eyes with focal macular edema mean age of patients was 59.80 ± 5.13 years whereas among diffuse macular edema, it was 67.80 ± 3.76 years. There was negative correlation between BCVAb and FOVb among both the groups which was significant. (p=0.033, p<0> Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography is a useful modality of investigation in patients with diabetic macular edema. Thus OCT can be used for quantitative assessment in response to surgery.