Diabetes and cataract surgery: preoperative risk factors and positive nursing interventions

In the United States, approximately three million cataract surgeries are performed annually. Although cataract surgery has been demonstrated to improve vision in up to 95% of patients, those with diabetes may be at increased risk of complications and poor visual outcomes. Preoperative risk factors such as age, retinal diseases, hypoglycemic medications, and hemoglobin A1C (Hgb A1C) levels may play a role in patient outcomes following cataract surgery. Furthermore, intraoperative risk factors such as the use of pupillary expanders, trypan blue staining, and additional procedures such as anterior vitrectomy may also be considered as a challenge for diabetic patients. This article will describe preoperative risk factors associated with visual outcomes for diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery and appropriate nursing interventions for these patients.

Literature review of risk factors and cataract surgery outcomes in terms of complications, visual acuity, and visual functioning of diabetic patients was undertaken. Preoperative risk factors (i.e., age, retinal diseases, advanced macular disease [AMD], hypoglycemic medications, and Hgb A1C levels) and postoperative complications, including inflammation and cystoid macular edema (CME), were also examined. To emphasize evidence of best practices, the role of the nurse as educator and advocate was further explored in terms of their impact on diabetes management of the patient to improve visual results.

Diabetic patients of advanced age, with a history of diabetic retinopathy who are taking insulin and have elevated Hgb A1C levels, may have an increased risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications and decreased postoperative visual acuity and visual functions that may affect their quality of life.

High-risk factors should be identified in diabetic patients when developing a perioperative patient education plan to help reduce their risk of cataract complications and improve their visual outcomes.