Purpose: To assess gains in quality of life (QOL) and visual acuity (VA), and to evaluate speed of visual and functional rehabilitation in diabetes patients with different stages of retinopathy (DR) after phacoemulsification in either one or both eyes. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study comprised 102 patients having either (1) first eye, or (2) first and subsequent second eye cataract surgery. One surgeon performed all surgeries. In both groups, the following subset of patients was compared: those with no apparent retinopathy (no DR), those with mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR), those with severe NPDR, and those with proliferative DR. VA and questionnaire (VF-14) responses were recorded prior to and 1, 3, 6, 8 and 12 months after surgery. Results: Patients with no DR and mild NPDR showed a significantly more rapid speed of visual and functional rehabilitation compared to patients with severe NPDR and proliferative DR. Maximum visual and functional results for these patients were observed 1 month after surgery, and values were significantly higher in comparison to other patients (p values <0.0001). Patients with no DR and mild NPDR who had second eye surgery demonstrated significant improvements (VA, QOL) and sustainment of the improved functional status achieved after first eye surgery (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with no DR and mild NPDR show greater significant improvements in QOL and VA, and a more rapid speed of visual and functional rehabilitation in comparison to patients with more advanced DR. Functional gains are sustained at 1 year after surgery, if second eye surgery is performed.

Keywords:
Phacoemulsification, Cataract, Diabetes
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© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
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