[Anterior chamber inflammation following cataract surgery in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus].

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to estimate the early breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier (BAB) following uneventful cataract surgery in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Aqueous flare was estimated in 54 diabetic eyes before and after cataract surgery. Fifteen eyes underwent uneventful ECCE (extracapsular cataract extraction with "can opener" capsulotomy) and 39 phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. All procedures were performed by experienced surgeons. Fifty six eyes of age-matched healthy patients undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery served, as control. Anterior chamber flare was quantified preoperatively, 1 and 3 days postoperatively, using laser-flare meter (Kowa FM-500). Laser flare values were expressed in photon counts/millisecond.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative anterior chamber flare in diabetes type 2 was as follows: normal fundus--6.7, background retinopathy--8.6 and proliferative retinopathy--14.1 (p < 0.01 vs NF group). Significantly lower anterior chamber flare measurements following phacoemulsification (25.0-1 day, 17.8-3 days post surgery), than after ECCE (63.7 and 45.6, respectively) (p < 0.01) were observed in diabetic eyes. In phaco group, we noted lower flare values in eyes without retinopathy; 25.2-1 day, 14.0-3 days post surgery, than in proliferative retinopathy (31.5 and 28.4, respectively) (p < 0.05 vs no retinopathy group).

CONCLUSIONS

Phacoemulsification, as a less traumatising technique produces less BAB breakdown and seems to be more suitable than ECCE in diabetic eyes. Following phacoemulsification, eyes with proliferative retinopathy had significantly higher flare values than eyes without retinopathy.