Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine if there is a disparity between the length of time a person has carried the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and the amount of time after an uncomplicated cataract surgery that development of cystoid macular edema (CME) was first noted.
Methods: :
This was a retrospective chart review of 262 cataract cases performed on diabetic patients, of which 39 developed CME at various stages in their post operative care. All cases were performed by resident surgeons while under the supervision of an attending physician. Two groups of diabetic patients were identified in both a male and female population, those having the diagnosis for less than or equal to 10 years and those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus for greater than 10 years. A chart review was conducted to determine at which post operative visit, a diagnosis of CME was first made. Attempts were made to follow patients at post operative day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 4 months and 5 months.
Results: :
A total of 262 cataract cases were performed on diabetic patients. Of these, 39 developed post operative CME. There were no intraoperative complications apparent in any of the cases. In the 6 cases of female diabetics for 10 years or less who developed CME, the average post operative visit at which CME was first diagnosed with 3.54 which corresponded with an average of post operative day number 39.3. In the 12 cases of female diabetics for greater than 10 years, the average post operative visit at which CME was first diagnosed with 3.41 which corresponded to post operative day number 34.5.In the population of 14 male diabetics for 10 years or less, the first post operative visit with a diagnosis of CME was 3.61 which corresponded to day number 43.8. In the population of 7 male diabetics for 10 years of more, the first post operative visit with diagnosis of CME was 3.42 which corresponded to day number 37.4.
Conclusions: :
In both the male and female population of diabetic patients who developed CME after uncomplicated cataract surgery, it appears that the patients who were diagnosed with DM for 10 years of longer developed diabetes at an earlier date than those having diabetes 10 years or less. This may suggest that it is prudent to see these longstanding diabetic patients in a closer time frame for followup in order to begin any further treatments as quickly as possible.
Keywords: diabetes • cataract