Aqueous humor and serum levels of chromium in cataract patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To evaluate the aqueous humor and serum levels of chromium (Cr) in cataract patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Levels of Cr were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry in the serum from 20 patients and aqueous humor aspirates taken during anterior segment surgery from 20 eyes of 20 patients who had diabetic cataracts and from 20 eyes of 20 patients who had senile cataract only.

Results: The mean aqueous humor Cr concentration in eyes with diabetes cataract was significantly lower than that from eyes with senile cataract (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant difference between the serum Cr concentrations of the diabetic group and the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The aqueous humor and serum Cr levels are decreased in eyes with diabetic cataract.