Cell recovery after cataract surgery slower in patients with type 2 diabetes

Cornea. 2011;30(7):749-753.

The corneal endothelial cell density in diabetic patients is more vulnerable to surgery and has a prolonged recovery time after cataract surgery, a study found.

Of 60 consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery in a prospective study, 30 had type 2 diabetes and 30 control subjects did not. Serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured in diabetic patients to establish initial glycemic control.

At 3 months, mean decrease in endothelial cell density was 154 cells/mm2 (6.2%) for patients with diabetes and 42 cells/mm2 (1.4%) for the control group; the difference was statistically significant (P = .04).

A significant decrease in the number of hexagonal cells was seen in patients with diabetes, indicating slower endothelial cell repair in this group (P = .005), the study authors said. A statistically significantly lower IOP was seen in both groups after surgery (P < .01), and visual acuity was improved in both groups.

"Despite significant higher loss of endothelial cells and a significant slower process of cell repair in diabetic subjects, functional ocular status seemed unchanged as judged by [central corneal thickness] and visual acuity. Thus, a sufficient reserve capacity to maintain normal corneal functional status in well-controlled patients with diabetes exists during the period of follow-up," the study authors said.