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

Purpose: To report 14 cases (28 eyes) of cataract associated with type-1 diabetes mellitus in young children and adolescents. Methods: Retrospective 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. Results: Mean 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. Conclusions: Although cataract formation in type-1 diabetes is rare, it is treatable and potentially sight-saving in young children and adolescents.