Prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome in Patients With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetesa Comparative Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of various ocular complications including Keratoconjunctivitis sicca resulting in tear film deficiency, significantly hindering the performance of daily life and may lead to blindness in severe cases. The objective of our study was to understand the association between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and development of dry eye syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS A pair of eyes of 40 patients with Type 1 DM and 60 patients with Type 2 DM was tested for dry eye syndrome using standard scores from Schirmer test 1, 2, tear film break-up time and Rose Bengal staining. Results were statistically analysed to understand significant association. RESULTS Patients with both types of DM belonged to middle or older age groups. Dry eye syndrome was present in nearly half of the patients, as assessed by different techniques. Dry eye syndrome was significantly increased with progressing age and duration of DM of both types in patients. There was, however, no significant difference in prevalence of dry eyes between patients with Type 1 and Type 2 DM. CONCLUSION Dry eye syndrome is an important comorbidity of DM and progresses with age and duration of the disease, and needs early detection and therapeutic management.