Choroidal Effusion Following Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery : A Case Report

This case report highlights the importance of recognizing and promptly managing choroidal effusion to prevent potential vision-threatening complications.

We present a case of a 63-year-old patient with hyperopia who developed choroidal effusion one month after undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
The patient was successfully managed with a combination of local and systemic steroids with cycloplegic agents, resulting in a favorable outcome. 

A 63-year-old male patient presented to our ophthalmology clinic with complaints of gradually worsening vision in his right eye. The patient had a history of hyperopia and had undergone uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery in the right eye one month prior. On examination, visual acuity in the right eye was reduced to Hand Movements , corneal oedema with marked shallowing of the anterior chamber and low intraocular pressure of 4 mmHg. Fundus examination was slighlty difficult due to the corneal oedema and did not reveale any choroidal folds and subretinal fluid. B-scan ultrasonography confirmed the presence of choroidal effusion with an image of nearly kissing choridals . With the lack of other arguments or obvious reasons the diagnosis of choroidal effusion secondary to cataract surgery was made.

Choroidal effusion is a rare but potentially serious complication following cataract surgery, particularly in patients with hyperopia. Early recognition, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate management are essential for achieving favorable outcomes. In our case, the combination of local and systemic steroids resulted in a significant improvement in visual acuity and resolution of choroidal effusion. Further research and larger studies are needed to better understand the
pathogenesis, risk factors, and optimal management strategies for choroidal effusion following cataract surgery.