To assess the levels of zinc in serum and changes in the lens of diabetic and senile cataract patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the levels of zinc in serum and changes in the lens of diabetic and senile cataract patients METHODS: A comparative cross sectional study was done at LRBT (Layton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust) free eye hospital Mandra from July 2010 to August 2010. Twenty Type 2 diabetic patients with cataracts and 20 patients without diabetes of senile cataract were included in the study. Glucose levels were determined by glucose oxidase method and zinc levels measured by colorimeteric method (RANDOX). RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed a statistically significant decrease in zinc levels in diabetic patients with cataract when compared to individuals with senile cataract (P <0.05). In senile lenses multilayering of cells, wrinkling of the lens capsule, and apoptotic cell death were seen, but in diabetic lenses number of cells decreased and cells were smaller as compared to senile lenses. The results were not statistically significant P >0.05. CONCLUSION: Our findings in this study show a relationship between zinc deficiency and increased occurrence of cataract among people with diabetes.