Acute irreversible cataracts in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Aim:To report an unusual cause of blindness in a patient newly diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitis (IDDM). Method:A 19-year-old man presented with classical symptoms of hyperglycaemia. On presentation his visual acuity and ophthalmic examination were normal. He was prescribed twice-daily insulin therapy and six weeks later presented with visual loss. He had only light and dark perception and was noted to have bilateral, dense, mature cataracts.Outcome: Right cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant was performed with restoration of vision. Despite good diabetic control the left cataract did not resolve. Seven months later the patient had left cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant, again with good result. Conclusion:Mature dense cataracts rarely occur and appear not to resolve with control of hyperglycaemia, as in this case, and require surgical treatment.

Adherence to diabetic eye examination guidelines in Australia: the National Eye Health Survey

“…Many studies, including case reports and population surveys, have also found associations between diabetes and all lens opacities 733 , very early or rapid-onset cortical opacities [747][748][749] , and cataract surgery [750][751][752] . Among 653 consecutive cataract surgical procedures in persons aged 60 years or older at Westmead Hospital in Sydney, 28% gave a diabetes history, a much higher proportion than seen for healthy patients at this age 753 .…”

The Relationship of Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure In Age-Related Cataracts

“…In a Vietnamese long-term follow-up study, 50% of type 2 diabetics developed cataracts [8]. Mature dense cataracts are rare but, when they occur, do not appear to resolve with control of hyperglycemia [9]. Surgical removal is thus required.…”

Bilateral Early Cataracts in Type 1 Diabetes

“…There are a small number of reports of bilateral cataracts developing soon after diagnosis of diabetes [2][3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…Cornwell et al [6] reported a case of 19 year old newly diagnosed patient of diabetes with normal ophthalmic examination at presentation, developing bilateral cataracts requiring surgery within six weeks. Seven of fourteen patients in the series of Wilson Jr et al [5] developed cataracts shortly after being diagnosed to have diabetes.…”