Corneal changes after small-incision cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate functional impairment in the corneal endothelium of eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus, after small-incision cataract surgery.


METHODS
Evaluation was performed in 93 eyes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetic group) and 93 eyes in patients without diabetic mellitus (nondiabetic group) who underwent cataract surgery. Using a topography system, the corneal thickness in the central area was measured before surgery and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery. Corneal endothelial cells were counted using a noncontact specular microscope.


RESULTS
No significant differences in any preoperative measures were observed between the diabetic and nondiabetic groups. The increase in corneal thickness 1 month after surgery was significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the nondiabetic group (P =.03). The corneal endothelial cell losses 1 day and 1 week after surgery were significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the nondiabetic group (after 1 day, P =.03; and after 1 week, P =.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with nondiabetic eyes, eyes of patients with diabetes mellitus showed more damage in corneal endothelial cells due to cataract surgery and a delay in the postoperative recovery of corneal edema.
Morikubo
Soichi
S
Division of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Fukui University, Fukui, Japan.
Takamura
Yoshihiro
Y
Kubo
Eri
E
Tsuzuki
Shosai
S
Akagi
Yoshio
Y
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications*; D002452:Cell Count; D016923:Cell Death; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019781:Corneal Topography; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications