title: Posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes and in nondiabetic age-matched control patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PCO density value in 100 consecutive diabetic patients and in 100 nondiabetic age-matched control patients who underwent cataract surgery was measured using a Scheimpflug videophotography system at 1 week and at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after surgery. The incidence of neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy was also evaluated. Furthermore, the stage of diabetic retinopathy and systemic condition of the diabetes were correlated with the degree of PCO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference between the two groups was observed in the mean value of the PCO for up to 12 months after cataract surgery. However, at 18 months and later, the PCO value in the diabetic group increased significantly and was significantly greater than in the control group. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that diabetic patients were significantly more likely to require Nd:YAG capsulotomy than control patients (P =.0139, Mantel-Cox log rank test). Among the diabetic patients, there was no significant correlation of PCO value with the stage of retinopathy. Furthermore, type of treatment, duration of diabetes, and hemoglobin A(1C) did not correlate with the PCO value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetic patients developed significantly greater PCO after cataract surgery than did nondiabetic patients, but among the diabetics, the stage of diabetic retinopathy and systemic status of the diabetes did not correlate with the degree of PCO.
authors.affiliation: Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. hayashi-ken@hayashi.or.jp
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Fuminori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.forename: Fumihiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity