Effect of Cataract Surgery on the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

Dr. Koppula Krittika, Dr. Subrahmanya Bhat K.

Abstract: Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common causes of vision loss in a patient in the middle aged group population. There are many factors associated with worsening of diabetic retinopathy such as anaemia, smoking, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, etc. Cataract surgery being the most common procedure for cataract extraction, it is postulated to cause alterations in blood retinal barrier and blood aqueous barrier and produce changes in the retinal vasculature which can fasten the progression rate. Since cataract surgery is an unavoidable procedure for cataract removal, they are other necessary precautions that should be taken such as good glycaemic control, cessation of smoking, strict annual fundus examination, lipid control measures and healthy lifestyle. Aim: . To study the effect of cataract extraction surgery on progression of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: This prospective comparative study was done on 29 patients, who were known case of diabetes mellitus who underwent cataract surgery in the department of ophthalmology at Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital between 1ST October 2022 ? 30th April 2024 was done. Subjects were divided into case (operated eye) and control (unoperated eye) and then monitored for 2 months in the post operative period to observe the progression of DR post cataract surgery and also compared the progression of operated eye to unoperated eye. Results: Categorical variables were expressed as frequency and percentage. For the comparison of pre - and post data within each group, Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi square test. The case group showed more progression of diabetic retinopathy after cataract surgery with respect to microaneurysms, haemorrhages, cotton wool spots and diabetic macular oedema. Study also showed that there is more progression of diabetic retinopathy when compared to the control group with respect to cotton wool spots and diabetic macular oedema. It was observed that there is more progression with longer duration of diabetes. HbA1C levels were not statistically significant with progression of diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion: Cataract surgery causes detrimental effect on the progression of diabetic retinopathy. We also observed that the progression of retinopathy was also faster in the subjects with longer the duration of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetic retinopathy, Cataract surgery, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, Proliferative diabetic retinopathy

How to Cite?: Dr. Koppula Krittika, Dr. Subrahmanya Bhat K., "Effect of Cataract Surgery on the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy", Volume 14 Issue 2, February 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 459-465, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25206120215, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25206120215