Insights in Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Review Article

Phacoemulsification in patients with diabetes: from preoperative evaluation to postoperative management: Yeoun Sook Chun; Insights Cataract Refract Surg 2025;10(3):65-75. Published online October 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.63375/icrs.25.012

Abstract PDF ePub: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and is a leading cause of blindness in patients over the age of 50 years. Patients with diabetes have an elevated risk of developing cataracts compared to individuals without diabetes; furthermore, cataracts also tend to progress more rapidly in this population, leading to the need for surgery at a younger age. This review aims to summarize the key considerations in the management of cataract surgery in patients with diabetes, from preoperative evaluation to postoperative care. Patients with diabetes often present with unstable refractive status, dry eye disease, corneal epithelial defects, and recurrent corneal erosions. They also tend to have reduced corneal endothelial cell density and small pupils, both of which increase the risk of intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, these patients are at risk of developing pseudophakic cystoid macular edema, posterior capsular opacification, endophthalmitis, progression of diabetic retinopathy, and neovascular glaucoma. Patients with long-standing or poorly controlled diabetes face a higher likelihood of postoperative complications, highlighting the importance of regular ophthalmic follow-up examinations. Furthermore, adjunctive treatments such as timely intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents may reduce the risk of vision-threatening complications following cataract surgery.

$Insights Cataract Refract Surg : Insights in Cataract and Refractive Surgery$