Outcome Assessment of Cataract Surgery in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients: A Prospective Case-Controlled Study

Abstract Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the visual outcome following cataract surgery in diabetics and non-diabetics. Material & Methods: A Prospective case-control study including was conducted at department of Ophthalmology for one year. 100 eyes in the diabetic group and 100 eyes in the non-diabetic group that underwent small incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Age, sex, surgical technique, follow up and pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. Results: In this study highest number of patients were in the age group of 60-65 years that is 50 (50%) in diabetics & 43 (43%) in control group. In this study patients above 65 years of age were excluded. Remaining 50 (50%) of the patients in diabetics & 57 (57%) of the patients in control group were below 60 years. Of the 100 patients in the diabetic group, majority of patients 65 (65%) had good glycaemic control (FBS: 70 – 110 mg/dl). 5 (5%) patients had low blood sugar levels at the time of examination (<70 mg/dl). Their blood sugar normalized eventually and they were operated. More importantly, 30 (30%) patients had high fasting blood sugar levels (FBS> 110 mg/dl). The highest fasting blood glucose value recorded was 143 mg/dl. The two main co-existing pathologies were psuedoexfoliation and myopia. There were 10 (10%) patients in diabetic group and 12 (12%) patients in the non-diabetic group that had psuedoexfoliation. Among the myopia, there were 5 cases in diabetic group and 6 cases in non-diabetic group. The final visual outcome was recorded using Snellens visual acuity chart and the values were converted to logMAR units for statistical analysis. Majority of the patients, 70 (70%) in the diabetic group and 76 (76%) in the non-diabetic group had visual acuity of 6/12 or better at the end of 6 weeks of follow up. Only 5 patients in the diabetic group and 6 patients in the non-diabetic group had visual acuity less than 6/60. Conclusion: Cataract surgery in diabetic patients without retinopathy led to favourable and comparable visual outcomes to that of non-diabetics. The incidence of postoperative complication was more in the diabetic group.