Comparison of anterior segment parameters of the eye between type 2 diabetic with and without diabetic retinopathy and non-diabetic

Abstract

AIM: To compare anterior segment parameters between two groups of type 2 diabetic with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and non-diabetic elderly subjects based on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and status of DR. METHODS: This study was conducted on 997 residents aged 60y or over in Tehran, Iran. Diabetic group had HbA1c level ≥6.4% with no other systemic problems. The non-diabetic participants had normal eye findings and no systemic diseases. K1, K2, mean K, Q-value, anterior, central, posterior, and total corneal densitometric findings, anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal volume (CV), and pachymetry were measured by Pentacam AXL. RESULTS: A total of 678 non-diabetic (39% male) and 319 diabetic (35% male) subjects with mean age of 66.31±5.23 and 67.22±4.96y were examined, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in anterior segment parameters between non-diabetic and diabetic groups (all P>0.05). However, middle, posterior, and total corneal densitometric values were statistically different between two groups after controlling the effects of confounders (P=0.014, 0.007, and 0.042, respectively). Corneal densitometric values in all layers, ACD, and ACV were different between diabetic subjects with and without DR (all P<0.05). In the diabetic group, only corneal densitometric values had a negative relationship with fasting blood sugar (P<0.001). ACD and ACV had a negative correlation with HbA1c levels (all P<0.05, r=-0.129 and -0.146, respectively). However, the relationships were not observed after controlling the confounders (P=0.938, 0.466, respectively). CONCLUSION: Considering the higher densitometric values of the cornea and lower ACD and ACV in diabetic subjects with DR, it is suggested that the examiners should perform comprehensive retinal examinations when faced with such conditions.