Journal of Medical Sciences and Health (Jun 2021)
An Observational Study on the Prevalence of Dry Eyes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and its Relation to the Duration and Severity of Disease
Abstract
Background: Ocular surface disorders and dryness of eye are increasing day-by-day particular among type 2 diabetics. The factors such as autonomic dysfunction and high blood sugar level account for the development of dry eye in diabetes. Although pathogenesis of dry eye syndrome (DES) is not clearly understood, it has been shown that accumulation of sorbitol may cause lacrimal gland structure damage and dysfunction resulting decreased tear secretion. Poor glycemic control affects both the anterior and the posterior segments of the eye and increasing prevalence of diabetes-associated DES has been reported in recent years. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of ophthalmology of a tertiary care hospital. Consecutive 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who attended outpatient department were included as per inclusion-exclusion criteria. Results: The majority of the patients (58%) was female with female-to-male ratio of 1.38:1. Most of the patients (43%) were under 50 years followed by 51–60 years (34%). Overall, the mean age was 54.26 ± 10.06 years. More than half (63%) of the patients had duration of diabetes up to 5 years. The result showed 42% prevalence of DES among the patients. Number of patients had been suffering from mild, moderate, and severe dry eye were 21%, 16%, and 5%, respectively. The condition was pronounced with longer duration and poor control of diabetes. Conclusions: DES in patient with type 2 DM was significantly associated with increasing age but not with the sex. The duration of diabetes had a direct influence on dry eye. Poor control of diabetes was associated with higher prevalence of dry eye. Early detection of diabetes and its adequate control is the key measure for prevention of dry eye in diabetes.
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