Evaluation of Central Corneal Epithelial Thickness With Anterior Segment OCT in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the central corneal thickness (CCT) and central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and the effect of the duration of diabetes, the degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and HbA1c level. Method: CCT and CCET values ​​of 72 patients diagnosed with type 2 DM and 72 healthy individuals were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The eye tear function was evaluated with the Tear Break-up Time test (TBUT) and the Schirmer test. From the results of fundus examination, the diabetic patients were grouped as those without DR, with non-proliferative DR, and with proliferative DR. The disease duration and the HbA1c levels were recorded. Results: In the diabetic patients, the mean CCT was determined to be thicker (p=0.025), the CCET was thinner (p=0.003), and the TBUT and Schirmer values were lower (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The duration of diabetes and the HbA1c level were not found to have any statistically significant effect on these parameters (p>0.05). The presence of retinopathy had no significant effect on CCT, TBUT and Schirmer values. The CCET was determined to be thinner in patients with retinopathy (p<0.001). Conclusion: As the corneal epithelial thickness is reduced in patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy, corneal epithelial pathologies can be seen more often. Therefore, early and effective treatment can be started taking into consideration the complications which may develop associated with the corneal epithelium following surgical procedures, especially those applied to the cornea.

Central Corneal Thickness of Diabetic Patients in Yaoundé: Case Control Study

“…However, Lee et al found a significant increase in CCT in diabetic patients older than 10 years compared to diabetic patients younger than 10 years [14]. The duration of diabetes and the HbA1c level was not found to have any statistically significant effect on these parameters (p > 0.05) [15]. Comparing the CCT between patients with HbA1c level < 7.5% and those with HbA1c > 7.5%, we found a positive but not statistically significant correlation.…”