Boston Cataract Surgeon on Surgery & Diabetes

Boston Cataract Surgeon Francis D’Ambrosio, Jr. M.D. shared information and facts about cataract surgery and diabetes. “With the proper detailed preoperative evaluation, examination and surgical care, cataract surgery can be successfully performed for patients with diabetes,” stated Dr. D’Ambrosio, Jr. “This is fortunate as diabetes is a well known risk factor for developing cataracts. Diabetic patients are also at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, a serious threat to vision and a leading cause of new blindness. In fact, it is not uncommon for diabetic patients to need cataract surgery often at an earlier age than others who are not diabetic due to their increased risk factors,” he further explained.

Even though diabetes is known to predispose patients to slower and more difficult wound healing, the type of small-incision cataract surgery we use on a routine basis poses no additional risk to diabetic patients than non-diabetic patients. Often, it is important that diabetics considering cataract surgery have a careful evaluation of the retina-especially the macula-using ocular coherence tomography (OCT) to identify the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME), a known finding in diabetic retinopathy that can cause less then optimal results after cataract surgery. In addition, in certain situations cataract surgeons may take an added precaution of placing an injection of VEGF inhibitor such as Avastin™ or Lucentis™ into the vitreous of the eye to prevent new blood vessel growth. Other than these considerations diabetic cataract surgery can offer patients good results. Early diagnosis and treatment is the key to preserving eye health and vision with diabetes. See your eye doctor regularly as he or she requests.

If you or someone you know has questions about diabetes and cataract surgery, please feel free to call D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care or facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare to schedule an appointment.

Staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.

D'Ambrosio Eye Care is a leading eye and LASIK care practice serving the greater Boston and central Massachusetts area including Acton, Athol, Berlin, Bolton, Boylston, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Milford, Shelburne Falls, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Templeton, Westminster, Westborough, Winchendon and Worcester, Massachusetts.