[Posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in diabetics]

93 eyes having undergone extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were evaluated prospectively. There were two groups of patients, including 38 diabetics with or without nonproliferative retinopathy and 38 nondiabetics. The comparison between the two groups demonstrated that there was no significant difference in intra-operative or postoperative complications. The post-operative corrected visual acuities of 0.5 or better were achieved in 26 of 47 (55.3%) of diabetic eyes and in 30 of 46 (65.2%) of nondiabetic eyes (P > 0.05). Based on this study, it is considered that nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy is not a contraindication of intraocular lens implantation. However, post-operatively, diabetic patients should be followed more closely and if any post-operative complication does occur, it should be treated promptly.