[Impact of cataract surgery on central macular thickness in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy]

To determine whether cataract surgery increases macular thickness in diabetic patients without preoperative retinopathy or macular edema.

In a prospective, non-controlled study, we compared preoperative macular thickness as measured by OCT to that measured 3 and 6 months after cataract surgery.

Thirty-six eyes of 21 patients (ten men and 11 women) were included in the study from November 2008 to May 2009. Mean foveolar thickness measured preoperatively was 198 μm (± 18.5 μm) compared with 202 μm (±17.2 μm) 3 months postoperatively and 212 μm (± 18.9 μm) 6 months postoperatively.

In our study, we do not show a significant increase in central foveolar thickness 3 months after cataract surgery; however, we do measure a significant increase at 6 months. This increase in thickness is similar to that found in the literature after cataract surgery in a non-diabetic population.

Cataract surgery in diabetic patients without preoperative retinopathy does not appear to induce significant macular thickening compared to non-diabetic patients. The period prior to any diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy seems to be the most amenable to cataract surgery when necessary.