PHACOEMULSIFICTION

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate visual outcome afterphacoemulsification in diabetic patients. Study Design: Prospective study. Setting:Ophthalmology department of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana.Period: January 2017 to April 2018. Method: Over a period of 15 months, all diabetic patientshaving cataracts were part of the study. All these patients would undergo phacoemulsificationfor cataract removal by a single ophthalmologist. A total of 76 participants were includedand their consent was taken. Visual acuity and progression of diabetic retinopathy would beassessed 12 months post-operatively. Results: The data included 76 patients, among which32 were females (43%) and 44 males (57%). The mean age of females were 58 + 6.8 yearsand that of males were 62.5 + 9.3. Mean hbA1c of 76 patients were 9.2. At the end of firstpost-operative year of the 76 operated eyes, 46 eyes (60.52%) indicated no progression ofdiabetic retinopathy, whereas 30 eyes (39.47%) showed no progression of retinopathy. Therewas no significant discrepancy in progression of retinopathy in the number of operated andun-operated eyes post-operatively. Retinopathy progression was related to higher mean hbA1cOE p= 0.001 NOE p=0.015). Conclusion: The number of people having diabetes mellitus isincreasing exponentially. Early diagnosis and good diabetic control is associated with slowdevelopment of cataract. Uncomplicated phacoemulsification leads to good visual outcomeand better quality of life.