Divya Vakharia

PURPOSE: To compare corneal oedema of eyes in patients with diabetes mellitus and in non-diabetics after cataract surgery

METHOD : It is hospital based comparative study on 320 eyes that underwent cataract surgery from January 15 to March 15 in Navale Hospital,Pune. Eyes of patients with diabetes mellitus and without diabetes mellitus were evaluated pre-operatively. All diabetic patients had controlled blood glucose one week prior to the surgery. The diabetic and non-diabetic groups were studied and compared on day one, one week and 3 weeks after surgery. Intraocular pressure, post-operative corneal oedema and visual acuity were recorded during every visit.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in any pre-operative corneal evaluation between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Corneal oedema after surgery was statistically significant in the diabetics (p<0.001). The number of patients with corneal oedema one day and one week after surgery was significantly higher in the diabetics than non-diabetics. After 3 weeks, there was no significant difference in corneal oedema in two group.

CONCLUSION: Corneal oedema following phacoemusification surgery in diabetic eyes is likely to be more frequent than in non-diabetic eyes.