AIM: To analyze the effect of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of diabetic cataract.

METHODS:Totally 65 cases 98 eyes of diabetic patients with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were retrospectively observed. Statistics analysis including visual acuity of 1 day, 30 days after surgery, complications, and the correlation between visual acuity and the duration of diabetes.

RESULTS: On the 1^st day after surgery, uncorrected visual acuity> 0.5 in 69 eyes(70.4%), 0.3 to 0.5 in 18 eyes(18.4%), 0.1 to 0.25 in 8 eyes(8.2%), and <0.1 in 3 eyes(3.1%). While on the 30^th day after surgery, visual acuity> 0.5 in 80 eyes(81.6%), 0.3 to 0.5 in 12 eyes(12.2%), 0.1 to 0.25 in 4 eyes(4.1%), <0.1 in 2 eyes(2.0%). Complications included corneal edema, anterior chamber fibrin exudation, synechia and secondary glaucoma.

CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of diabetic cataract is safe and effective. The recovery of visual acuity is relative to the duration of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.