People who have diabetes often suffer from cataracts as well; in fact, they are more likely than the general population to develop cataracts. Diabetics considering cataracts surgery need to consider their increased risk factors before they chose to undergo the procedure.
It is very important that patients’ blood sugar is well-controlled before surgery to increase their post-surgical healing ability. It is especially important that patients’ inflammation levels are monitored and kept as low as possible during and after surgery.
According to Rupert Menapace, MD, of OSN Supersite, “We need atraumatic surgery to minimize the inflammatory response and avoid induction or exacerbation of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Even in uneventful cataract surgery, the risk of developing macular edema is high in diabetic patients, up to 10%.” Macular edema is swelling of the macula, the small area of the retina responsible for central vision, of which the central 5% of the retina is most critical to vision.
Source: “Cataract surgery with comorbidities requires careful surgical management” at www.osnsupersite.com.