Diabetic retinopathy progression and visual outcome after phacoemulsification in South-Asian and Afro-Caribbean patients with diabetes

Purpose To determine diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy progression and visual outcome following phacoemulsification in South-Asian and Afro-Caribbean patients with diabetes. Methods Review of notes of patients with type II diabetes undergoing phacoemulsification by one surgeon. The inclusion criteria were: ( a) South-Asian or Afro-Caribbean ethnicity, (b) monocular cases with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 6 months, and ( c) binocular cases with an interval of at least 6 months between the operation in the two eyes. The nonoperated eye was used as control. The development or progression of diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy and final visual acuity were recorded. Results In all, 30 diabetic patients were included. There were 19 South-Asians ( Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi) and 11 Afro-Caribbeans. The mean (+/-SD) age was 68.9 (+/-10) years. Retinopathy or maculopathy progression was noted in seven patients (23.4%), two South-Asians, and five Afro-Caribbeans. There was no significant difference in the number of operated and fellow eyes whose retinopathy or maculopathy progressed postoperatively. Progression of retinopathy or maculopathy occurred more often in Afro-Caribbeans compared to South-Asians ( P = 0.02, logistic regression analysis). The mean (+/-SD) postoperative follow-up was 12.4 (+/-6.5) months. Visual acuity improved by at least two or more Snellen lines in 19 eyes (63.3%); 26 eyes (86.7%) achieved a final visual acuity of at least 6/12. Conclusions Afro-Caribbeans may be at a higher risk of progression of retinopathy or maculopathy after phacoemulsification.