AIM: To observe the influence on the corneal endothelial cells after the cataract ultrasonic emulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation in patients with diabetes.

METHODS:Diabetic group: 52 eyes from 39 cataract patients with diabetes. Control group: 33 eyes from 31 cataract patients without diabetes. The density and the percentage of hexagonal cells of the corneal endothelium were measured by corneal endothelial detector preoperatively and 1d, 1wk, 1mo after the surgery. The results were analyzed.

RESULTS:The density, ratio of hexagonal cells of the corneal endothelial cells were significantly lower than before(P<0.05)postoperative in two groups, there was no significant difference the two groups before treatment, but the corneal endothelium loss in diabetes group was more than those in control group at 1d after treatment(P<0.05). Diabetes group is divided into three groups according to age 50-60 years old, 61-70 years old,71-80 years old, the postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss had no statistical significance(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The cataract ultrasonic emulsification damages the corneal endothelium, and it is more easy to be damaged in diabetics. Diabetic corneal endothelial injury has nothing to do with age.