Corneal Changes After Small-Incision Cataract Surgery in Patients WithDiabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE To evaluate functional impairment in the corneal endothelium of eyesin patients with diabetes mellitus, after small-incision cataract surgery. METHODS Evaluation was performed in 93 eyes in patients with type 2 diabetesmellitus (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 and1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery. Corneal endothelial cells were countedusing a noncontact specular microscope. RESULTS No significant differences in any preoperative measures were observedbetween the diabetic and nondiabetic groups. The increase in corneal thickness1 month after surgery was significantly higher in the diabetic group thanin the nondiabetic group (P = .03). The corneal endothelialcell losses 1 day and 1 week after surgery were significantly higher in thediabetic group than in the nondiabetic group (after 1 day, P = .03; and after 1 week, P = .04). CONCLUSION Compared with nondiabetic eyes, eyes of patients with diabetes mellitusshowed more damage in corneal endothelial cells due to cataract surgery anda delay in the postoperative recovery of corneal edema.Arch Ophthalmol. 2004;122:966-969-->