Acute metabolic cataract as a first manifestation of diabetes mellitus in a 12-year-old girl

Bilateral cataracts as the presenting feature of type 1 diabetes in an 11-year-old girl

Paediatric cataracts can present a diagnostic dilemma to ophthalmologists. Next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) has been promoted as a tool to expedite the diagnosis of an underlying cause in such cases.1 The authors present an unusual case of bilateral cataracts in an 11-year-old girl as the first presenting feature of new type 1 diabetes mellitus. Prompt diagnosis and subsequent management of this potentially life-threatening condition were achieved through careful history taking and targeted biochemical testing. The authors feel this case highlights the significance of simple measures such as thorough history taking in the assessment of paediatric cataracts. It is important that these skills are not lost through the availability of clinical tools such as NGS.

Acute juvenile cataract in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients: a description of six cases

Cataract represents one of the most frequent eye complications in type 1 and type 2 patients; contrarily, acute cataract in young diabetic patients occurs very rarely. The aim of this study was to describe six cases of acute cataract in adolescents at the onset of type 1 diabetes. Eight hundred and twenty-six patients with type 1 diabetes were retrospectively studied. A multivariate analysis was applied to verify the weight of the following laboratory findings taken on admission (independent variables): glycemia, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), pH, base excess (BE),and on the occurrence of cataract (dependent variable). Six patients (0.7%) presented with acute lens opacities. Cataract development was significantly correlated with HbA1c and glycemia. The relative risk increases about twice for each percentage point from 12.8 to 14.1% of HbA1c; glycemic blood levels represent a moderate risk factor for cataractogenesis. Ketoacidosis and BE were not significantly correlated.

Acute bilateral cataract with phacomorphic glaucoma in a girl with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

The authors present a rare case of acute bilateral cataract with phacomorphic glaucoma in a girl with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus without a known history of ocular problems. Within 3 months after the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, she presented with high intraocular pressure. Her visual acuity was limited to hand motions. The patient required immediate surgical intervention. Postoperatively, the intraocular pressure normalized and bilateral visual acuity was 6/6.

Clinical features, diagnosis and management of maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) associated with the 3243A>G mitochondrial point mutation

Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) affects up to 1% of patients with diabetes but is often unrecognized by physicians. It is important to make an accurate genetic diagnosis, as there are implications for clinical investigation, diagnosis, management and genetic counselling. This review summarizes the range of clinical phenotypes associated with MIDD; outlines the advances in genetic diagnosis and pathogenesis of MIDD; summarizes the published prevalence data and provides guidance on the clinical management of these patients and their families.