Corticosteroid Injection Combined With Cataract Surgery in Diabetic Eyes.

Combined Phacoemulsification Surgery and Intravitreal Triamcinolone Injection Versus Stand-alone Surgery in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The investigators aim in this study to investigate the effect of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection on the development of macular edema and the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Whether this injection hastens cataract surgery results or not. The investigators will categorize the participants into two groups: the case group who will receive the injection at the end of the surgery, and the control group who will have routine cataract surgery with no extra injections.

Cataract and diabetic retinopathy (DR) represent two of the top five leading causes of global impaired vision and blindness according to the WHO. Higher incidence and faster cataract progression are well-established in diabetic patients, especially those with higher glycated hemoglobin values. Further, it is estimated that up to 20% of all cataract surgery is performed on diabetic patients. The investigators aim in this study to contribute to investigating the efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide injection at the end of phacoemulsification surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison with the standard phacoemulsification surgery: whether it blunts the initiation as well as the progression of diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy, and improves visual outcomes. Besides, The investigators aim to evaluate the consequences and safety of the injection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ● A history of diabetes mellitus DM type II that is well-confirmed by an endocrinologist.

  • Senile cataract that is causing visual disturbance as demonstrated by clinical examination.
  • CDVA of no more than 20/ 40, finger count and hand movement vision are included. Too.
  • Diabetic retinopathy that falls in one of the following categories according to the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale: No DR- mild NPDR- moderate NPDR.
  • A healthy-looking central macula, or Clinically Significant Macular Edema (CSME), or edema that is apparent on Fundus Fluorescent Angiography (FFA) or OCT, as well as a treatment-resistant diabetic macular edema in the past 24 months or microaneurysms at foveal avascular zone (FAZ) borders not amenable to laser therapy.
  • Both sexes, Age 18 years or older.
  • One eye per patient will be included.
  • The surgery will be performed by the same surgeon and the samIOL design will be used.

Exclusion Criteria:

• • A history of diabetes mellitus DM type I that is well-confirmed by an endocrinologist or no history of DM.

  • CDVA that is better than 20/40.
  • functionally monocular patient as a result of moderate to severe visual impairment in the contralateral eye, as per the definition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (6).
  • The presence of pathologies other than diabetic retinopathy and cataract that may justify visual acuity decline (e.g. corneal disease, age related macular degeneration, macular hole, etc…).
  • patients will be excluded if they had an increased risk for developing CME in the study eye because of a complication during the current or previous intraocular surgery, intraocular inflammation or uveitis, retinal vein occlusion, or macular pathology that might influence visual function, other than diabetic macular edema.
  • Patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, or post-traumatic cataract in the study eye.
  • Diabetic retinopathy that falls in one of the following categories according to the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale: severe NPDR, proliferative DR, or vitreous hemorrhage requiring pan-retinal photocoagulation or vitrectomy.
  • Patients who used topical NSAIDs, topical or systemic corticosteroids before surgery.
  • patients who received an intravitreal injection with any kind of anti-VEGF in the study eye in the previous 6 weeks, or an intraocular or periocular corticosteroid injection in the previous 3 months.
  • patients who received PRP during the past 3 months.
  • Contraindications for any of the investigated drugs, particularly patients with glaucoma, IOP of 21mm Hg or higher, previous steroid-induced IOP elevation, or ganglion cell/ RNFL complex injury on OCT image.
  • History of steroid hypersensitivity.
  • Patients who are taking steroids PO with a total dosage of more than 5 mg/ day.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding ladies.
  • Previous surgery on the study eye.
  • systemic bleeding in the previous 3 months, major systemic surgery in the previous 3 months, or a recent or recurrent cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, or thromboembolic event.