Comparison of the central corneal thickness in diabetes mellitus patients and non diabetics individuals

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is associated with increase in the thickness of the cornea and also raised intraocular pressure as compared to normal healthy individuals.Diabetes causes intrinsic abnormality of the epithelial basement membrane complex & impairs epithelial and endothelial barrier function.A few studies have been done on corneal morphological changes, corneal thickness in diabetic subjects but it is still a topic of research in Indian population.

Purpose:To compare the central corneal thickness in diabetes mellitus patients and non diabetics individuals.

Method: A Prospective observational study with 100 patients, 50 diabetic and 50 non-diabetics subjects was conducted from 1stFebruary 2019 to 30th April 2019. All subjects underwent routine complete ophthalmological examination, central corneal thickness was measured using ultrasound pachymetery. Blood investigation like fasting blood sugars, postprandial sugars, and HbA1c levels was done among diabetics and random blood sugars were done among non diabetic subjects.

Results: The mean central corneal thickness in diabetic subjects was 558.8±24.71µm as compared to non-diabetics 524.33±14.26µm and difference between the two groups was clinically significant (p<0.0001). The central corneal thickness was higher for diabetes with duration of >10 years (567.74±5.30µm) when compared to duration of diabetes <10 years (550.54±13.41µm) and with HbA1c >6.5% showed statistically significant increase in mean central corneal thickness compared to HbA1c <6.5%.

Conclusion: Diabetic subjects showed higher central corneal thickness as compared to non-diabetic subjects and also there was increase in central corneal thickness with increase in duration and uncontrolled diabetes. All diabetic patients need to undergo central corneal thickness assessment before any intraocular surgeries.