Comparative Evaluation of Visual Outcome of Cataract Surgery in Patients with Type-II Diabetes Mellitus with Those without Diabetes in a Rural Medical College & Hospital

Aim: To compare the postoperative complications and the visual outcome after cataract surgery in patients with Type-II Diabetes mellitus (DM) and those without DM operated at a rural medical college& hospital. Material & Methods: This observational analytical prospective study was carried out in the department of ophthalmology at a rural medical & college. Two hundred and fifty patients in the age range 50 years to 70 years undergoing cataract surgery in the hospital from 1st November 2016 to 31stOctober 2017 were selected for the study. The patients were followed up to 30th April 2018. These patients were divided into two groups for comparison as we had to test the hypothesis that visual outcome after cataract surgery is better in nondiabetics as compared to diabetics. The present study conducted among 125 diabetic and 125 nondiabetic cataract surgery patients operated in a rural hospital. Results: Preoperatively in present study 67 diabetics (53.6%) had visual acuity less than 6/60 and 62 non diabetic patients (49.6%) had visual acuity less than 6/60. This was statistically significant (P = 0.009). Only two patients in the diabetic group had diabetic retinopathy. Visual acuity improvement was significantly more in nondiabetics as compared to diabetics.(P=0.001). Conclusion: Visual outcome after cataract surgery in diabetics depends on pre-existing ocular and /or systemic problems. Good outcome in diabetics can be achieved by meticulous preoperative workup and management of associated problems like diabetic retinopathy along with good glycaemic control.