Influence of diabetes on central corneal thickness in type II ocular hypertensive patients

Abstract

Purpose: Are central corneal thicknes values in ocular hypertensive patients comparable to that of non‐diabetic patients?. Is there some influence of diabetic disease on these values? Methods: A samle of 271 patients has been distributed in 4 groups: 77 normal control patients (N), 74 ocular hypertensive (OHT), 59 diabetic patients without ocular hypertension (DM) and 61ocular hypertensive type II diabetic patients (DMOHT). Time from diagnosis and diabetes treatment are recorded. Also central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and diabetic retinopathy stage are also recorded. SPSS 14.0 statistical program was used and one‐factor ANOVA, Kruskal‐Wallis and chi‐square tests, and Pearson calculation have been applied. Results: Mean CCT in N group (536,50±38,1μ), and mean CCT in DM group (545,49±29,06μ) are not statistically different. Mean CCT in DMOHT group (570,45±33,59μ) and mean CCT for OHT group (570,51±38,26μ) are not statistically different. Mean ECC difference between diabetic and non‐diabetic subgroups is not statistically significant. However, the mean ECC difference between ocular hypertensives and ocular normotensives subgroups is highly significant in both eyes (P < 0,000). Diabetes treatment has not influence on mean CCT intergroup comparisons. CCT and IOP correlate significantly in the whole sample for both eyes (P < 0,000). There was no linear correlation between mean CCT and age, nor between mean CCT and time of diagnosis. Conclusions: Like OHT patients, DMOHT patients showed thick corneas. DM patients have normal CCT. Neither diabetes treatment, nor time of diagnosis are correlated to CCT. Corneal thickness is probably not related to the disease in DMOHT patients.