Detection of Latent Macular Lesions by Preoperative Optical Coherence Tomography and Associated Factors in Japanese Cataract Patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the detection rate and associated factors of latent macular lesions using preoperative Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in Japanese patients scheduled for cataract surgery with no clinically confirmed macular abnormalities.

SETTING

Teine Keijinkai Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

METHODS

We included 316 eyes of 316 Japanese cataract patients scheduled for surgery between January 2023 and December 2024 who had no suspected macular pathology on slit-lamp biomicroscopy. All patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and SD-OCT, and the detection rate of latent macular lesions and their associated factors were investigated.

RESULTS

Latent macular lesions were detected in 30 eyes (9.5%) of 316 patients with a mean age of 76.8 ± 8.8 years. The most frequent lesions were epiretinal membrane (15 eyes, 4.7%), followed by irregular elevation of the retinal pigment epithelium (10 eyes, 3.2%). Clinically significant lesions requiring immediate surgical modification or additional treatment were identified in 3 eyes (1.0%), including a full-thickness macular hole (1 eye) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (2 eyes). Age was independently associated with latent macular lesions (odds ratio 1.10, 95% Confidence Interval 1.04-1.16, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative OCT screening may contribute to the evaluation of latent macular lesions, particulary in elderly cohort, and lead to optimized surgical planning.