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).

CONCLUSION: 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.