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Macular Function
Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today asked five surgeons to discuss the importance of assessing macular function in cataract patients.
STEVE CHARLES, MD
As a vitreoretinal surgeon, I have a different perspective
on evaluating macular function and retinal risk factors
in general than a cataract surgeon. The primary goal
should be reducing complications by managing retinal
diseases that coexist with the cataract, not only addressing
informed consent issues.
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) using multiple-slice monochrome B-scan display provides the most information. Time-domain OCT is less precise, and pseudocolor displays produce pseudointerfaces. Thickness measurements alone obscure the differential diagnosis, which includes epimacular membrane, partial- and fullthickness macular holes, vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular schisis, subretinal fluid secondary to a choroidal neovascular membrane or retinal detachment surgery, retinal edema overlying choroidal neovascularization, diabetic macular edema (DME), and macular edema secondary to central, hemifield, or branch retinal vein occlusion.
Cataract surgery does not cause the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as shown by an analysis of data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) by Chew and colleagues.1 Nonetheless, the surgeon and patient should be aware of the potential for a suboptimal visual outcome. OCT as well as autofluorescence are superb at detecting geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD, not just wet AMD.
In my opinion, most cases of DME said to have been made worse by cataract surgery are actually examples of postoperative inflammatory edema. Macular edema secondary to DME or retinal vein occlusion should be treated with anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents prior to cataract surgery.
Regarding the association between cataract surgery and retinal detachment, I believe that coinherited lattice degeneration and other peripheral retinal abnormalities— not increased axial length—cause this complication after cataract surgery. Axial length is a proxy for myopic vitreoretinal disorders; there is no evidence that a longer eye stretches the retina or is the proximal cause of retinal detachment.
SAMUEL MASKET, MD
All clinicians know that the appearance of the macula
can be misleading: one that looks highly irregular may have
excellent visual potential. For that reason, it is essential to
test cataract patients’ macular potential to aid in surgical
decision making. I would argue that retinal function testing
and the evaluation of retinal anatomy and pathology are as
important as OCT and other imaging. Each has its role in
assessing individuals with ocular comorbidities. I perform
tests of visual function as well as those of ocular pathology.
This information allows me to be helpful to the patient
during discussions for or against cataract surgery. It can also
promote reasonable expectations for the procedure.
An assessment of macular function is also integral to my assessment of patients for premium IOLs. In my practice, patients must demonstrate normal macular anatomy as well as normal macular function in order to be considered candidates for multifocal IOLs. For example, an amblyopic eye will have normal macular anatomy but reduced macular function, and such patients typically do not benefit from multifocal IOLs. I use the Retinal Acuity Meter (RAM; AMA Optics, Inc., Miami, FL).
JAY S. PEPOSE, MD, PHD
In my practice, the assessment of macular function is an
important element of the preoperative evaluation of all
patients considering cataract surgery. The anatomic
appearance of the macula on biomicroscopy or OCT does
not always correlate well with macular function. I have seen
patients with what appears to be a normal macula on biomicroscopy
who have a surprisingly low reading of potential
retinal acuity and a gossamer-thin epiretinal membrane
apparent on OCT. Conversely, some patients may present
with apparently extensive myopic degeneration, yet they
have normal function on retinal acuity testing. Individuals
with significant comorbid macular or optic nerve pathology
that inherently diminishes contrast sensitivity may not
be suitable candidates for multifocal IOLs; these lenses have
been associated with decreased contrast sensitivity compared
to aspheric monofocal or accommodating designs.
Along with a detailed history and a careful fundus examnation, an assessment of macular potential assists the ophthalmologist with preoperative counseling, short- and longterm prognostication, and the informed consent process in terms of the relative risks and benefits of surgery. It also aids in the decision to order additional tests such as OCT and fluorescein angiography or to refer the patient to a retina subspecialist. The importance of preoperatively assessing potential retinal acuity will grow, because retinal and optic nerve comorbidity will become more prevalent as the population ages. For example, the AREDS found that 20.2% of individuals with early-stage AMD progressed to advanced disease over 5 years, a rate of 4.0% per year.2 During a 12.7-year follow-up, 40.6% of highly myopic eyes developed progressive myopic maculopathy, including diffuse atrophy, lacquer cracks, and choroidal neovascularization.3 In a recent study of 45 patients referred for cataract extraction who were prospectively evaluated by OCT, epiretinal membranes were noted in seven (15.6%), many of which were not detectable by ophthalmoscopy alone.4
In our practice, my colleagues and I routinely use the RAM to assess the potential visual function of patients with 20/100 or better preoperative visual acuity. It is not reliable for patients with a BSCVA of 20/200 or worse. The RAM also helps us to identify patients with comorbid retinal or optic nerve pathology that may not be detected by history and inspection alone, particularly in eyes with cloudy media. No test of retinal function, however, including the RAM, has 100% specificity and sensitivity. Nevertheless, several studies demonstrate greater predictive accuracy with the RAM compared to the Potential Acuity Meter (Marco, Jacksonville, FL), although the predictability of all of these tests may vary in specific forms of macular comorbidity.5-7
RICHARD TIPPERMAN, MD
An evaluation of macular function and a visual inspection
of the macula are essential prior to cataract surgery. Certain
patients’ vision will be reduced for both far and near, however,
and will not improve with pinhole testing. In these instances,
retinal acuity testing is essential to predict their
potential visual acuity after cataract surgery. It provides information
that will help the ophthalmologist decide whether
to proceed with surgery and identify appropriate candidates
for premium IOLs. OCT provides information about
the anatomy of the macula, not its functional capability.
WILLIAM B. TRATTLER, MD
Patients with visually significant cataracts have reduced
vision, but the health of their maculae and visual potential
must be assessed and discussed with them before surgery.
My technicians perform a potential visual acuity test prior
to all cataract procedures. If the evaluation reveals reduced
visual results, we attempt to determine the reason and counsel the patient on what to expect in terms of their
vision after cataract surgery. We also obtain OCT scans of
the macula to screen for macular abnormalities that may
affect postoperative visual results. Some patients may have a
normal potential acuity test but also a subtle epiretinal
membrane that is visible on OCT and may worsen postoperatively.
In these cases, I typically use a highly potent steroid
(Durezol; Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) and may extend the
patient’s use of topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs beyond 4 weeks.
Steve Charles, MD, is a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee in Nashville, and he is an adjunct professor of ophthalmology at Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York. Dr. Charles is also an adjunct professor of ophthalmology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Dr. Charles may be reached at (901) 767-4499; scharles@att.net.
Samuel Masket, MD, is a clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, and is in private practice in Los Angeles. He acknowledged no financial interest in the product or company he mentioned.Dr. Masket may be reached at (310) 229-1220; avcmasket@aol.com.
Jay S. Pepose, MD, PhD, is the director of the Pepose Vision Institute and a professor of clinical ophthalmology and visual sciences at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He acknowledged no financial interest in the products or companies he mentioned. Dr. Pepose may be reached at (636) 728-0111; jpepose@peposevision.com.
Richard Tipperman, MD, is an attending surgeon at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Tipperman may be reached at (484) 434- 2716; rtipperman@mindspring.com.
William B. Trattler, MD, is the director of cornea at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care in Miami. He has received research support from, is a consultant to, and/or is on the speakers’ bureau of Alcon Laboratories, Inc.; Allergan, Inc.; and Ista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Trattler may be reached at (305) 598-2020; wtrattler@earthlink.net.
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