Large capsulorhexis with implantation of a 7.0 mm optic intraocular lens during cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a large capsulorhexis and intraocular lens (IOL) in obtaining a larger anterior capsule opening after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical trial.

METHODS

Patients with DM had bilateral cataract surgery with a 2.8 or 3.0 mm scleral incision, a capsulorhexis with a diameter of approximately 5.0 or 6.0 mm, and implantation of a 6.0 mm optic (Eternity X-60) or 7.0 mm optic (Eternity X-70) IOL. The anterior capsule opening area, aqueous flare intensity, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (62 eyes) with DM were enrolled. At all postoperative timepoints, the anterior capsule opening was significantly larger in eyes with the 7.0 mm optic IOL than in eyes with the 6.0 mm optic IOL (P<.05, Mann-Whitney U test). There were no significant differences in postoperative aqueous flare intensity, SIA, ECD, or CCT based on the size of the capsulorhexis and IOL.

CONCLUSION

A larger capsulorhexis and implantation of a 7.0 mm IOL resulted in a larger anterior capsule opening after cataract surgery in patients with DM.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.