Impact of Diabetes on Pregnancy-Related Cataract Formation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Abdul Rahman Abid
  • Areesha Kamran
  • Irsa Zulfiqar
  • Farzana Rahim Memon
  • Sufian Ali Khan
  • Zehra Niazi

Keywords:

N\A

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent among Pakistani women of reproductive age. Pregnancy-related metabolic changes may accelerate osmotic stress on the lens, leading to early cataract formation. Limited data exist on the burden of lens opacities specifically in diabetic pregnancies.

Objective: To determine the frequency, severity, and predictors of cataract formation among pregnant diabetic women in Pakistan and correlate these findings with physiological glucose parameters.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 100 pregnant diabetic women (both GDM and pre-existing diabetes) from a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi. Each participant underwent Fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c testing, Obstetric evaluation, Slit-lamp ophthalmic examination. Cataracts were graded using the LOCS III system. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Pearson correlation.

Results: The prevalence of cataracts among the 100 participants was 32%.Nuclear cataract was seen in 18% cases, followed by cortical cataract in 9% and then posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) in 5%. Women with poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 7%) had a significantly higher cataract rate (46%) compared to controlled diabetics (18%) (p = 0.004).   A positive correlation was found between HbA1c and cataract score (r = 0.62).

Conclusion: Cataract formation is common in diabetic pregnancies in Pakistan, especially in women with poor glycemic control. Early ophthalmologic screening should be integrated into antenatal care for diabetic pregnancies

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Published

2025-12-20

How to Cite

1.
Abid AR, Kamran A, Zulfiqar I, Memon FR, Ali Khan S, Niazi Z. Impact of Diabetes on Pregnancy-Related Cataract Formation: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 20 [cited 2026 Jan. 20];14(33S):145-9. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/9733

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 33S (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

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