Evaluation of ocular surface in type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the tear film and the changes in ocular surface in type 2 diabetic patients. Patients and methods This is a prospective, cross-sectional, observational, hospital-based study of 100 participants (200 eyes). They included 50 diabetic patients (100 eyes) and 50 healthy controls (100 eyes), of either sex above 40 years old, who were evaluated at Alexandria General Eye Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. History was taken from all participants including ocular surface disease index questionnaire. All participants underwent full ophthalmological examination, Schirmer’s test, tear film breakup time, corneal staining, and rose Bengal staining tests. Results When compared with the healthy controls, diabetic patients showed significantly reduced Schirmer’s test, tear breakup time measurements, and higher grades of corneal and rose Bengal staining (P<0.001). Ocular surface disease index was severe in 70% of diabetics. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the dry eye severity grade according to Dry Eye Workshop, as most of diabetic patients were grades 3 and 2 (37 and 53%, respectively), whereas 64% of the controls were grade 1. Conclusion Tear film abnormality was a significant feature of diabetic ocular surface disease, which suggests that diabetic patients are more prone to experience dry eye than normal participants. Therefore, all diabetic patients should undergo routine early examination and follow-up of tear function and ocular surface parameters.

Keywords

• cornea
• diabetes
• eye