Acataractis a clouding of the eye’s naturallens, making it harder to see.
If you havediabetes, you may be more likely to develop cataracts.
You also may have more steps to follow before, during, and after cataract surgery.
Huntstock / Getty Images
Still, you could have a go at slow cataract development.
When it affects your vision more profoundly, the ophthalmologist may recommend removing the cataract.
When you have diabetes, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery earlier on to ensure better results.
These instructions will be similar to those shared with people who do not have diabetes.
However, your ophthalmologist may spend more time comparing your vision symptoms to your cataract severity.
Your ophthalmologist will let you know if you better avoid any medications before surgery.
However, you may be instructed to use certain types of eye medications in the few days before surgery.
These can include drops that will help prevent infection and promote better healing in the eye.
You may be asked to avoid diabetes medications, including insulin, on the morning of your surgery.
The surgical team may schedule your surgery early and ask you to bring your diabetes medications.
For the cataract surgery, you will most likely not be asleep.
You may receive a sedative to keep you calm along with local anesthesia.
The surgical team will give you a schedule to indicate how often to use these drops.
If you have diabetes, you may be more prone to certain complications after cataract surgery.
Your ophthalmologist also will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor how your eye is doing after surgery.
This can include using special surgical techniques and prescribing eye drops that can lessen the chance of problems.
Worsening diabetic retinopathy and posterior capsular opacification are some of the risks after cataract surgery when you have diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Curious about cataracts?
Bixler JE.Cataracts and their treatment in people with diabetes.
In:Prevention and Management of Diabetes-Related Eye Disease.
Arlington (VA): American Diabetes Association; 2019:6-10.
Devgan U.Cataract surgery in diabetic patients.Retina Today.2010.
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8035
MyHealth.Alberta.Ca.Cataract surgery: what to expect at home.
