Timing of cataract surgery in diabetics

In their retrospective study, the authors investigated the outcome of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) followed by posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (PCIOL), in 2864 operated eyes, out of which 546 (19%) were in diabetics. The preoperative retinal status was recorded in all subjects. In 6 (1%) patients, laser photocoagulation was performed preoperatively. The obtained visual acuity was 0.4 or better in 90.0% of diabetics and in 91.8% of control subjects, showing no significant difference in the postoperative complications between diabetics and non-diabetics. The results indicated the cataract operation (ECCE + PCIOL) to be a well tolerated surgical procedure in diabetic patients with lenticular opacity, in whom it should be even earlier performed than in nondiabetics, because cataract prevents the diagnosis or treatment of a suspect retinal disorder.