A Comparative Study of Central Corneal Thickness in Diabetics and Non-Diabetics Using Ultrasonic Pachymetry.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Central corneal thickness (CCT) is an important indicator of corneal health status. Thicker and thinner corneas may lead to either overestimation or underestimation of intraocular pressure, which is the most important causal and treatable risk f actor for glaucoma. The findings in the previous studies on the association between diabetes and CCT are conflicting. CCT may also influence outcome in cataract and refractory surgeries. AIM The aim of the study is to determine an association between central corneal thickness and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a cross-sectional and time-bound study carried out on patients attending the outpatient and inpatient departments of Ophthalmology, B.L.D.E.(DU)’s Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijayapura. The study includes 168 adult subjects divided into three groups: a. 40 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for duration more than 10 years b. 46 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for duration less than or equal to 10 years c. 82 controls Details of the patient including history, clinical examination, investigations are recorded after obtaining consent from the patient. Clinical examination includes DocuSign Envelope ID: BDB60B0A3DF3C7--DF17ACBA-4CC5BB--999024C8-9E6998A07C261B1FE41F1221 XV Visual Acuity (by Snellen’s Chart), Slit Lamp Examination, Dry and Cyclople gic (if required) retinoscopy with streak retinoscope, subjective correction, Pachymetry (Ultrasound), B-Scan (if required) and intraocular pressure (by applanation tonometry). RESULTS A total of 168 patients were included in the study. A highly statistically significant difference was found between the mean central corneal thickness of diabetics (534.0581μ in right eye and 534.3605μ in left eye) and non-diabetics (525.8659μ in right eye and 525.8659μ in left eye), as the computed ‘P’ value through ANOVA (0.000726) is less than 0.05. Association between central corneal thickness and age, gender, laterality and duration of diabetes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION A statistically significant difference in CCT was found between diabetics and non - diabetics. Henceforth, it is important to measure the central corneal thickness in all diabetics, as it affects the IOP measurement which is vital for early diagnosis and timely treatment of glaucoma.