Posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. SETTING: Sugita Eye Hospital, Nagoya, Japan. METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 42 consecutive diabetes mellitus patients (DM group) and 42 eyes of 42 non-DM patients (control group) scheduled to have cataract surgery were enrolled. The PCO value was determined using the posterior capsule opacification (POCO) system 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Posterior capsule opacification values 3 months after surgery did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (P>.05). At 6 and 12 months, the PCO values of the DM group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P =.002 and P =.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients had significantly more severe PCO after cataract surgery than nondiabetic patients.