AIM: To observe the influence ofphacoemulsification on corneal endothelial cell in patients with the different level of HbA1c.

METHODS: With case-control study, 164 eyes from 115 cataract patients were divided into four groups according to the preoperative HbA1c level. Control group A: 43 eyes from 30 cases without diabetes(HbA1c≤6.5%). Diabetes groups: group B was consisted of 38 eyes from 26 cases(HbA1c≤6.5%), 40 eyes of 28 case was in group C(6.5% 8.0%). Corneal endothelial microscopy was used to detect the parameters like endothelial cell density(CD), coefficient of variation(CV), percentage of regular hexagonal cells(6A)between pre-operation and post-operation at 1d, 1, 2wk, 1mo. The results were analyzed.

RESULTS: The endothelial cell density, CV and 6A cell had no significant difference in four groups before treatment(P>0.05). The CD and 6A were decreased and CV was increased in all groups after operation of 1d, 1, 2wk and 1mo. The difference was statistically significant(P< 0.05). There were statistical differences of 6A and CV in diabetes groups compared with control group(P< 0.05). The decreasing of CD between group A and group B had no difference(P>0.05). There were statistical differences of CD in group C and group D compared with group A(P<0.05). There were statistical differences of CD, 6A and CV within diabetes groups(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Cataract phacoemulsification had certain degree damage on corneal endothelial cell. Corneal endothelial appeared the minimal injury when the postoperative HbA1c≤6.5%. For diabetic cataract patients, the higher HbA1c before, the heavier damaged after the surgery.