Objective To investigate the effect of phacoemulsification (Phaco) combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and silicone oil tamponade on the cornea of patients with diabetic retinopathy. Methods A total of 34 patients (34 eyes) with retinopathy were selected as research objects, and they were divided into diabetic group and non-diabetic group, with 17 cases (17 eyes) each. All patients were treated with Phaco combine with PPV and silicone tamponade. The occurrence of complications in the two groups was recorded. Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal anterior surface curvature, corneal posterior surface curvature and corneal diopter were measured preoperative and postoperative 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. And corneal data between the two groups were compared. Results The ECD of the diabetic group was lower than that of the non-diabetic group at 1 week after operation, and the CCT of the diabetic group was thicker than that of the non-diabetic group at 1 week and 1 month after operation, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). One week after operation, the SIA values of corneal anterior surface curvature K1 (flat axis) and corneal anterior surface curvature K2 (steep axis) in the diabetic group were higher than those in the non-diabetic group at 1 week after operation, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the SIA values of posterior surface curvature K1 (flat axis) and corneal posterior surface curvature K2 (steep axis) between the two groups at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). One week after operation, the SIA value of corneal diopter in diabetic group was higher than that in non-diabetic group, with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the SIA values of corneal diopter between the two groups at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). In both groups, there was no persistent ocular hypertension for more than 24 hours, and the intraocular pressure remained normal after drug treatment with no infectious endophthalmitis occurred. Conclusion Phaco combined with PPV and silicone oil tamponade had more significant effect on corneal endothelial cells, CCT, corneal anterior surface curvature and corneal diopter in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients, but there were no significant differences in corneal endothelial cells, CCT, corneal anterior and posterior surface curvature and corneal diopter between the two groups within 3 to 6 months after silicone oil tamponade. Therefore, Phaco combined with PPV and silicone oil tamponade is a relatively safe surgical method for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

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