The Effect of Phacoemulsification on the Corneal Endothelium in Diabetic Patients

We compared the structural and functional corneal endothelial changes between patients with non-proliferative retinopathy and age-matched nondiabetic patients after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation. Endothelial cell density was calculated preoperatively, and postoperative 4, 8 weeks by specular microscopy. Fluorophotometry to check corneal endothelial barrier function was underwent preoperatively and at postoperative 4 days. Preoperatively, no significant difference in corneal endothelial cell density and corneal endothelial permeability coefficient was noted between diabetic patients and age-matched non-diabetic patients. But the mean increase of corneal endothelial permeability coefficient at 4 days after surgery was 118.13% in diabetic patients and 61.88% in nondiabetic patients (P<0.05). The mean endothelial cell loss at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery were 10. 29%, 12.55% in diabetic patients and 7.05%, 9.39% in non-diabetic patients.(P<0.05)

The Availability of Contrast Sensitivity in Low Vision Patients

The standard vision test using visual acuity is not always an accurate indicator of functional visual loss. The contrast sensitivity was measured in low vision patients. the contrast sensitivity of low vision patients showed a substantila decrease in all spatial frequencies(P<0.001). Of the 34 patients, the preferred eye was the eye with better peak sensitivity in 31 patients(91%) while the perferred eye was the eye with better visual acuity in 24 patients(71%). There were no characteristics of contrast sensitivity according to the diagnosis. The contributions of the contrast sensitivity function to the low vision care are evaluated.