Central retinal thickness changes and visual outcomes following uncomplicated small-incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery in diabetic without retinopathy patients and nondiabetic patients

ObjectiveTo compare the visual outcomes and central retinal thickness (CRT) 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after surgery in diabetic patients without retinopathy and nondiabetic patients. The relationships between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and visual outcomes and changes in CRT were also evaluated.MethodsPatients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery were enrolled from May 2009 to December 2010, excluding those with preoperative retinal diseases. CRT and best-corrected visual acuity were obtained preoperatively and at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks.ResultsThere were 101 eyes in the nondiabetic group and 58 eyes in the diabetic without retinopathy group. There was no difference in preoperative CRT between the two groups. A significant increase in thickness was observed at postoperative Week 4 (p < 0.001) in both groups. However, there were no significant differences in CRT and best-corrected visual acuity before surgery and in all postoperative periods between the groups. In the diabetic without retinopathy group, CRT and visual outcomes were not statistically related to HbA1c level at any time point.ConclusionThere were no significant differences in improvements in postphacoemulsification CRT and visual outcomes between the groups. In the diabetic without retinopathy group, the visual outcomes and CRT were not related to the level of HbA1c. Therefore, as long as there is no diabetic retinopathy, the early postoperative visual recovery and central retinal thickness may not be different from patients without diabetes mellitus.