[Implantation of intraocular lenses in patients with diabetes]

The authors analysed and compared three groups of patients who had undergone surgery. In the first group of 72 patients with diabetes and cataract, intraocular lens implantation was carried out. In the second group of 96 patients with diabetes and cataract, cataract surgery was not followed by intraocular lens implantation. The third group of 100 nondiabetic patients, selected by random choice, had intraocular lens implanted after the cataract surgery. Retinal status, postoperative complications and visual acuity were the parameters analysed in correlation with the intraocular lens implantation. In the authors' opinion, the prognosis following cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in diabetic patients is good, if diabetic complications do not occur, particularly retinopathy and vitreal hemorrhage which impair the vision considerably. Intraocular lens can be implanted even in cases of maculopathy and preproliferative diabetic retinopathy, provided a thorough diagnostic evaluation has been performed (echography, fluorescein angiography). Laser photocoagulation procedure should also be carried out before surgery and repeated as long as the transparence of the lens enables it. The treatment should be resumed two weeks after the cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation at the latest. Intraocular lens implantation is contraindicated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and especially iridal rubeosis, as the risk of neovascular glaucoma development is considerable.