VISUAL OUTCOME AND EARLY POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS OF CATARACT SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Purpose: To study the visual acuity outcomes and early complications of cataract surgery in patients with diabetes in tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of Pravara Rural Medical Hospital, Loni. The data was drawn from patient records, focusing on individuals diagnosed with cataracts and known cases of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Employing a descriptive longitudinal study design, the research encompassed a sample size of 110 individuals, selected through a purposive sampling method. The study spanned from June 2022 to June 2023. Result: The study included 110 patients. Diabetes leads to an increase in age-related cataract development more so in females. 6 weeks after the surgery 70% of patients had BCVA between 6/12-6/6, 20.9% of patients had BCVA between 6/24 and 6/18 and the remaining 9% had BCVA below 6/36. Anterior segment complications such as corneal edema, severe iritis, posterior synechiae, pupillary block, and pigmented precipitates on the IOL are more frequently observed. Conclusion: Enhancements in Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) following the surgical intervention suggest that cataract surgery holds promise in effectively managing the visual challenges stemming from cataracts among diabetic patients.