Corneal thickness is a sensitive indicator of the health of the cornea and serves as an index for corneal hydration and metabolism. It is an important indicator of patency of the corneal endothelial pump. Corneal endothelial damage following phacoemulsification is still one of the major concerns of modern day cataract surgery. Although many techniques have been proposed, the risks of posterior capsular rupture and corneal endothelium damage persist. Aim of the Work: This study was designed to

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... sess the effect of phacoemulsification on central corneal thickness measured by anterior segment OCT in non-diabetic and diabetic patients. Methods: Our study included 20 cases subdivided into 2 groups: 10 cases normal (nondiabetic) and 10 cases diabetic without retinopathy ranged from 18 to 60 years, with a mean age of 56.50 years in the non-diabetic group and 55.70 years in the diabetic without retinopathy group. SD in non-diabetic group ± 2.22, in the diabetic without retinopathy group ±3.13, p = 0.518, in the normal non-diabetic group 7 cases (70.0 %) were men and 3 cases (30.0%) were women. In the diabetic without retinopathy group, 6 cases (60.0%) were men and 4 cases (40.0%) were women. In the non-diabetic group, the mean average CCT was 500.80 ± 23.73μm before phaco, 508.90 ± 28.33μm 0ne week after phaco with P = 0.021 and 501.10 ± 24.33μm one month after phaco with P = 0.011. In the diabetic without retinopathy group, the mean average CCT was 508.50 ±6.75μm before phaco ,535.20 ±16.98μm one week after phaco with P = 0.021 and 527.60 ±16.63 μm one month after phaco with P = 0.011. Results: There was found a significant change in CCT after phacoemulsification in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups, and the eyes of patients with diabetes mellitus showed a delay in the postoperative recovery of corneal edema compared with non-diabetic eyes. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes have significantly more endothelial damage and more corneal edema in comparison to non-diabetic controls with similar nuclear grading and phaco energy used.