Management of senile cataract in diabetic patients

ABSTRACT

The association between cataract and diabetes has been the subject of much controversy. The treatment of cataract in diabetics is essentially surgical as in non-diabetics. Prior to the operation a good control of the metabolic state is required to lessen the complications. This can be achieved either by oral hypoglycasmics or insulin. No statistical differences were found in operative and post-operative complications among diabetics and non-diabetics except vitreous haemorrhage which occurred solely in the former group. I.C.C.E. operation was found to have a detrimental effect on the retinopathy, this progressed post-operatively in an aggressive manner. The net visual outcome was worse among diabetics with retinopathy especially the proloferative type. Insulin-dependent diabetics were found to have the worse prognosis regarding vision, evolution of retinopathy and complications