ACUTE IRREVERSIBLE CATARACTS IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

Aim: To report an unusual cause of blindness in a patient newly diagno sed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitis (IDDM). Method: A 19-year -old man presented with classical symptoms of hyperglycaemia. On prese ntation his visual acuity and ophthalmic examination were normal. He w as prescribed twice-daily insulin therapy and six weeks later presente d with visual loss. He had only light and dark perception and was note d to have bilateral, dense, mature cataracts. Outcome: Right cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant was performed with restoration of vision. Despite good diabetic control the left cataract did not re solve. Seven months later the patient had left cataract extraction and intraocular lens implant, again with good result. Conclusion: Mature dense cataracts rarely occur and appear not to resolve with control of hyperglycaemia, as in this case, and require surgical treatment.