Impact of uncomplicated cataract surgery on central retinal thickness changes in diabetic patients: A short-term analysis.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the short-term changes in central retinal thickness after uncomplicated cataract surgery in diabetic patients and assess the influence of diabetic retinopathy severity on postoperative retinal response.MethodsIn total, 102 eyes of 102 type 2 diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 51) comprised eyes without diabetic retinopathy and Group II (n = 51) included eyes with diabetic retinopathy. Central retinal thickness was assessed at baseline and postoperative weeks 1, 6, and 12 using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Changes in central retinal thickness of ≥10, ≥29, and ≥50 µm were analyzed.ResultsCentral retinal thickness significantly increased at 6 weeks postoperatively (Group I: median 263 µm; Group II: median 270 µm; p = 0.001). No significant differences in best-corrected visual acuity loss were observed between the two groups (p = 0.265). In Group II, the increase in central retinal thickness was highest in patients with severe diabetic retinopathy.ConclusionThe severity of diabetic retinopathy is correlated with the magnitude of retinal thickening, peaking at 6 weeks postoperatively. Despite an increase in the central retinal thickness, visual acuity remained stable during the study period. Duration of diabetes and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin levels were identified as systemic risk factors. These findings underscore the importance of optical coherence tomography-based monitoring and diabetic retinopathy staging in perioperative diabetic care.