Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the occurrence or progression of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy and visual outcome after cataract surgery in patients presenting diabetes type 1 or 2.
Methods: :
Retrospective medical chart study , including all diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery in 2003 and 2004, with a minimum post operative follow up of one year. Outcomes were assessed one month, one year and at the last examination after cataract surgery and included : visual acuity, occurrence or progression of retinopathy and maculopathy.
Results: :
80 eyes of 52 patients were included , 52 eyes in women and 28 in men. The mean age of cataract surgery was 60 years old. The mean follow up after the surgery was 20 months (range 12 to 33 months).The incidence of retinopathy occurence was 7.5% (6 eyes) and of retinopathy progression was 6.25% (5 eyes). A maculopathy appeared in 12 patients eyes (15%). The mean preoperative visual acuity was 20/250. The mean visual acuity one month after surgery was 20/100. The mean visual acuity at the last examination was 20/100. The final visual acuity was 20/85 or better in 34 eyes.
Conclusions: :
A visual improvement is achieved in the majority of diabetic patients after cataract surgery. Macular edema is the main cause of poor visual outcome. Cataract surgery may be a risk factor of progression of diabetic retinopathy but it may be necessary to perform efficient laser treatment of retina.
Keywords: cataract • diabetic retinopathy • macula/fovea