DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2018.v06i03.021

Pages: 912-917

To study the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) after Phacoemulsification in diabetic patients. 80 eyes of 80 patients with or without DR were evaluated prospectively following cataract extraction with PCIOL implantation between Dec.2015 to May 2017.Of the 80 patients 42 were women and 38 were men. Of the 80 eyes, 18 eyes (22.5%) had Mild DR and 2 eyes (2.5%) had moderate DR at baseline and remaining 60 eyes (75%) had no diabetic retinopathy. The ocular findings were recorded on each follow -up visit for at least 6 months. The degree of glycemic control was assessed by measurement of HbA1c. Progression of the retinopathy in diabetic eyes occurred in 22 eyes (27.5%) in the follow-up period. Out of 22 eyes, 12 eyes (15%) with mild NPDR progressed to moderate NPDR and 2 eyes (2.5%) of moderate NPDR progressed to severe NPDR.and 8 eyes (10%) without retinopathy developed mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy . Worsening of retinopathy was more in eyes with preexisting DR. Most of the patients obtained improved visual acuity. We found that most of the patients obtained good visual acuity, even those with mild to moderate NPDR. This study indicate that diabetic retinopathy worsen after cataract surgery. This worsening is higher in patient having preoperatively diabetic retinopathy, poor glycemic control and hard nuclear cataract which require more phaco time.