Reversible cataract as the presenting sign of diabetes mellitus: report of two cases and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common form of diabetes in young children. Serious optic complications, e.g. diabetic retinopathy and diabetic cataract involvement, are not usually detected in T1DM patients at the onset of the disease.


METHODS
Two girls aged 11 years and 9 years were hospitalized in our unit in 2008 and 2009. They presented cataracts 1 and 6 months before the diagnosis of T1DM, respectively. After blood glucose level was controlled by insulin therapy, the cataract was resolved, totally in one and partly in the other girl. Meanwhile, visual acuity of both cases recovered, closely associated with fluctuation of plasma glucose level. In this study, we describe the symptoms, probable mechanism and treatment of diabetic cataract.


CONCLUSIONS
Early antihyperglycemic therapy and maintenance of stable blood glucose level may reverse acute diabetic cataract or prevent it from getting worse.
Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China.
Yan Yan
YY
Jin
Ke
K
Huang
Chao Chun
CC
Zou
Li
L
Liang
Xiu Min
XM
Wang
Ji
J
Jin