Study to Evaluate Changes in Central Macular Thickness Following Uncomplicated Small Incision Cataract Surgery in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients

Dr. Gaurav Kumar, Dr. Saroj Bala, Dr. Karamjit Singh, Dr. Anubha Bhatti, Dr. Manveen Kaur

Abstract: Introduction: Cataract surgery is a widely performed ophthalmological procedure. However, systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus may alter postoperative outcomes such as macular thickness and visual acuity. This study aimed to compare changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery (SICS) in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective, comparative study was conducted at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Amritsar, between 2023 and 2024. A total of 200 patients (100 diabetics and 100 non-diabetics) undergoing uncomplicated SICS with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation were enrolled. Patients with pre-existing macular pathology, uveitis, or intraoperative complications were excluded. Detailed ophthalmic examinations including BCVA, slit-lamp evaluation, fundus examination, intraocular pressure measurement, and central macular thickness (CMT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 6, and 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23.0 with appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests. Results: In non-diabetic patients, mean preoperative CMT was 228.78 ? 2.09 ?m, increasing to 252.65 ? 2.53 ?m at one month, then reducing to 231.83 ? 3.69 ?m at one year. In diabetic patients, CMT increased from 232.24 ? 11.02 ?m to 275.23 ? 4.52 ?m at one month and remained higher (243.64 ? 8.79 ?m) at one year. BCVA improved in both groups but more significantly in non-diabetics (52% achieving 6/6 vs 36% in diabetics at 12 months). Conclusion: Both diabetic and non-diabetic patients showed improvement in BCVA and transient increase in macular thickness after SICS. However, diabetic patients had a more pronounced and prolonged CMT elevation and less complete visual recovery.

Keywords: Macular thickness, Visual acuity, small incision cataract surgery, Diabetes, OCT

How to Cite?: Dr. Gaurav Kumar, Dr. Saroj Bala, Dr. Karamjit Singh, Dr. Anubha Bhatti, Dr. Manveen Kaur, "Study to Evaluate Changes in Central Macular Thickness Following Uncomplicated Small Incision Cataract Surgery in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 554-559, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25807102233, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25807102233