Cataracts as the presenting symptom of type 1 diabetes mellitus

Felicia Cooper1, Jamie Ikeda2, Mauri Carakushansky1

  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Nemours Children's Health, Orlando, FL 32827-7884, USA.

JCEM Case Reports
|April 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A 17-year-old boy developed type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) presenting with blurry vision and fatigue. He later experienced pseudophakic cystic macular edema post-cataract surgery, a rare complication in pediatric DM.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) typically presents in children with symptoms like polyuria and weight loss.
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis can manifest with abdominal pain, vomiting, and Kussmaul breathing.
  • Cataract surgery in pediatric patients with DM is uncommon.

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