Impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity and quality of life in diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study.

Authors

  • Dr. Sujatha Asadi Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College/Government General Hospital, Nizamabad, Telangana, India
  • Dr. Janga Archana Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
  • Dr. M. Rohini Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Osmania Medical College and Osmania General Hospital , Hyderabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2583

Keywords:

Diabetes, Cataract Surgery, Visual Acuity, Quality of Life, Diabetic Retinopathy, National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25, Phacoemulsification

Abstract

Background

Diabetes increases the risk of cataracts and complicates postoperative recovery, potentially affecting visual outcomes and quality of life. This study evaluates the impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity and quality of life in diabetic patients.

Objective

To assess changes in visual acuity and quality of life following cataract surgery in diabetic patients and analyze the influence of diabetic retinopathy

Methods

This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 100 diabetic patients aged 45-75 years who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured in logMAR units, and quality of life was assessed using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) before surgery and at 3 months after surgery. Outcomes were compared between patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. Statistical significance was determined using paired t-tests.

Results

The mean age of participants was 59.8 +/- 8.4 years; 52% were males and 48% were females. Type 2 diabetes was present in 62% of patients, and the mean duration of diabetes was 8.2 +/- 3.6 years. The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.8 +/- 0.1 logMAR, improving significantly to 0.2 +/- 0.1 logMAR postoperatively (p < 0.001). Postoperative BCVA <0.3 logMAR was achieved in 87% of patients. Overall NEI VFQ-25 scores increased from 54.6 +/- 8.3 to 85.2 +/- 7.4 (p < 0.001). Patients without diabetic retinopathy demonstrated better outcomes than those with mild-to-moderate diabetic retinopathy. Minor complications were observed in 8% of cases.

Conclusion

Cataract surgery significantly improves visual acuity and vision-related quality of life in diabetic patients, with better outcomes in those without diabetic retinopathy. Early intervention and comprehensive diabetes management can enhance surgical benefits.

Recommendations

Routine early cataract surgery, strict glycemic control, preoperative retinal evaluation, and postoperative diabetic retinopathy monitoring are recommended to maximize recovery, improve quality of life, and minimize complications.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Sujatha Asadi, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College/Government General Hospital, Nizamabad, Telangana, India

    is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Government Medical College/Government General Hospital, Nizamabad, Telangana, India. She is involved in clinical ophthalmology, academic teaching, and research activities. Her professional interests include cataract care, comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation, and medical education, with active participation in patient care and institutional academic programs.

  • Dr. Janga Archana, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She is engaged in clinical practice, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and scholarly work in ophthalmology. Her areas of interest include anterior segment disorders, cataract management, and evidence-based ophthalmic research.

  • Dr. M. Rohini, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Osmania Medical College and Osmania General Hospital , Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Osmania Medical College and Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She is actively involved in ophthalmic patient care, teaching, and research. Her professional interests include cataract surgery outcomes, diabetic eye disease, and clinical research in ophthalmology. She serves as the corresponding author for this manuscript. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0445-4403

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Published

2026-03-30

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): March 2026 Issue

Section

Section of Ophthalmology Research

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Sujatha Asadi, Dr. Janga Archana, Dr. M. Rohini

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity and quality of life in diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study. (2026). Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 7(3), 11. https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i3.2583

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