AIM: To observe the efficacy of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation for diabetic cataract.

METHODS: Totally 38 cases(41 eyes)with diabetic cataract(observation group)and 117 cases(127 eyes)with non-diabetic simple senile cataract(control group)in the same period all received phacoemulsification and IOL implantation and the efficacy and postoperative complications were observed and compared.

RESULTS: There were 32 eyes(78.0%)in the observation group and 110 eyes(86.6%)in the control group getting postoperative best-corrected visual acuity>0.4 respectively, the difference between two groups was not significant(P>0.05). The incidence rate of corneal edema and fibrin exudation in the observation group were 31.7% and 19.5% respectively which were significantly higher than the control group, the differences between groups were statistically significant(P<0.05); the incidence rate of posterior capsular opacification was 14.6% in the observation group and 11.0% in the control group, the difference between groups was not significant(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The treatment of phacoemulsification and IOL implantation for diabetic cataract is safe and feasible and has the same efficacy with the simple senile cataract.