Cataract associated with type-1 diabetes mellitus in the pediatric population

PurposeTo report 14 cases (28 eyes) of cataract associated with type-1 diabetes mellitus in young children and adolescents.MethodsRetrospective review of the medical records of 14 patients from seven institutions. All patients under the age of 18 years who met the inclusion criteria of type-1 diabetes mellitus and cataract were included.ResultsMean age at the time of diabetes diagnosis was 9.8 years (range, 0.5-14 years), and mean age at cataract diagnosis was 11.7 years (range, 5-16 years). Two patients presented with cataracts one month before the diagnosis of diabetes; seven after the diagnosis of diabetes; and in five patients the cataract was found at the time the diabetes was diagnosed by the pediatrician. Nineteen out of 23 operated eyes had a best corrected post operative visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Two patients (4 eyes) developed diabetic retinopathy postoperatively.ConclusionsAlthough cataract formation in type-1 diabetes is rare, it is treatable and potentially sight-saving in young children and adolescents.