[Intracapsular implantation of intraocular lenses in patients with diabetes mellitus].

The authors analyze the results of treatment of 30 eyes of 28 patients suffering from various forms of diabetes mellitus for 1 to 15 years; no cases with neovascularization or proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in the study. Extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) intracapsular implantation was carried out according to the method developed by B. N. Alexeyev. Polymethylmethacrylate lens with a 5 mm diameter of the optic section with polymethylmethacrylate supporting elements was implanted into the capsular sac. In 4 cases lenses with 7 mm optic section diameter and with polypropylene supporting arches were implanted. IOLs were implanted in both eyes to 2 patients. The methods of examination included visometry, biomicroscopy, measurements of the blood sugar before and after surgery, tonometry, tonography, echography, ophthalmometry, gonioscopy, fluorescent angiography. The findings permit a conclusion that IOL intracapsular implantation to diabetics was effective in all 30 cases analyzed. High visual acuity was achieved in more than 80 percent of patients. No grave complications of the ocular or general condition due to diabetes mellitus were recorded. Therefore IOL intracapsular implantation is safe and possible in type I and II diabetes mellitus patients.