Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the usefulness of a subconjunctival steroid injection given at the completion of cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Setting: University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Kaiya Eye Clinic, Hamamatsu, and Jyosai Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Methods: One hundred four eyes of 104 diabetic patients having routine small incision cataract surgery were randomized into 2 groups. One group received a subconjunctival injection of dexamethasone and the other group did not. Aqueous flare intensity was measured with the laser flare meter preoperatively and 1, 2, 5, 7, and 14 days postoperatively. Another 19 diabetic patients having routine cataract surgery were randomized to receive a subconjunctival steroid injection or not; blood glucose concentration was measured 4 times a day for 3 days postoperatively.
Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in aqueous flare values at any postoperative time. The subconjunctival steroid injection induced a transient but significant increase in blood glucose on the day of surgery.
Conclusion: A subconjunctival steroid injection given at the completion of cataract surgery in diabetic patients had no beneficial effects.