A Review on Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and Cataract Formation

Abstract

Major cause of blindness among diabetic patients is cataract both in developed and developing countries. Diabetic ocular complications are most common in both type-1 and type-2 diabetes, considering the fifth most common cause of legal blindness. This review aims to systematically evaluate the studies on occurrence of cataract formation among diabetic patients, types of cataract and its mechanisms of pathogenesis. According to WHO, cataract is 33% of all type of visual impairment. Prevalence of cataract increased with increasing age in both younger and older onset diabetic persons. Females had higher rates than males. The pathogenesis of diabetic cataract development is still not fully understood. Population-based studies have greatly increased our knowledge concerning the association between diabetes and cataract formation and have defined risk factors for the development of cataract. Simply diabetic cataracts are characterized by cortical or posterior sub-capsular opacities. Aldose reductase and polyol are responsible for diabetes ocular complications. Mechanisms of diabetic cataractogenesis have been studied in less detail than those of other diabetic complications. Both animal and human studies support important contribution of increased aldose reductase activity. Several clinical studies investigated the role of phacoemulsification surgery and its post-surgery complications. Researchers are trying to develop aldose reductase inhibitors and antioxidants, may be effective treatment to prevent or cure diabetes cataract.