Survey: Oct Before Cataract Surgery

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina. OCT plays a crucial role in ophthalmology by enabling the detailed visualization of the retinal structure, which aids in the diagnosis and management of various eye conditions. The absence of standardized guidelines and reliance on subjective clinical expertise highlight the necessity for a comprehensive evaluation of OCT utilization in ophthalmic practice, especially in the context of neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataract surgery.

Maastricht University Eye Clinic. Online survey sent to 95 EVICR ophthalmological clinical research centres. Survey was sent in May 2023.

An online survey was developed and distributed to 95 ophthalmological clinical and research centres across Europe, focusing on ophthalmologists' attitudes towards performing cataract surgery on patients with AMD, their practices regarding anti-VEGF injections in conjunction with cataract surgery, and the integration of OCT in their clinical workflow. The survey aimed to gather insights into the decision-making processes that guide the use of OCT and to identify the level of consensus or variability among different practitioners.

The survey revealed a diverse geographical distribution of respondents, with a majority practicing in Germany, Italy, and Portugal. Findings revealed that 58.33% of ophthalmologists perform OCT in selected cases before routine cataract surgery, mainly to identify conditions such as epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction, and AMD. The most common strategy for managing anti-VEGF injections in relation to cataract surgery was planning surgery in the middle of the interval of two injections. Finally, monofocal IOLs were found to be the preferred choice for patients with neovascular AMD.

Despite the successful application of OCT, there is a clear need for the development of standardized guidelines to refine its clinical utility further. The findings advocate for future research to establish evidence-based practices for OCT utilization, ultimately enhancing patient care in ophthalmology.