A Comparative Study of Cataract Occurrence and Visual Impairment in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Individuals

Objective: To compare cataract occurrence and visual impairment in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Study design: It was a Descriptive Hospital based study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi from from July to December 2023. Material and Methods: 50 patients of different age groups visited the outdoor patient’s department of Allied Hospitals Rawalpindi from July 2023 to Dec 2023 and were included in my study. Patients were exposed to various diagnostic procedures to confirm cataract and diabetes prevalence. Results: Results are drawn based on selected variables i.e. gender, age, patients presenting with and without diabetes and cataract, visual impairment resulting from cataracts in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.A sample population of 50 patients was studied in a hospital-based study. Out of 50 patients, 28 were male and 22 were female. Among them, 30 had diabetes, while 20 did not have diabetes. Before the refraction, a detailed fundus and lens examination was carried out. As a result, out of 30 diabetic patients, 23 had cataract and out of 20 non-diabetic patients, 12 had cataract. Fundus of most patients was normal. After that objective and subjective refraction was carried out to estimate visual impairment in these patients. Results were drawn on charts. Conclusion: This hospital-based study highlights the increased prevalence of cataracts among diabetic patients and the greater severity of visual impairment associated with the condition. The results emphasize the critical need for regular eye examinations in diabetic individuals to enable early detection and intervention for cataract-related complications. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on the intricate relationship between diabetes, cataracts, and vision health. Future studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods are recommended. Future studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods could provide deeper insights into these relationships and support the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies in clinical practice.