Risk factors for ocular surface disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate risk factors for ocular surface disorders and tear dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
This prospective case controlled study included 41 patients with type 2 diabetes and 20 healthy subjects as the control group. All subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examination, tear film break-up time (BUT) test, Schirmer test, fluorescein dye test, rose bengal staining test, and a questionnaire for subjective complaints. The relationship of metabolic control of diabetes mellitus, duration of diabetes, severity of diabetic retinopathy, and argon laser photocoagulation (ALP) to tear dysfunction was evaluated.


RESULTS
Tear film BUT and Schirmer test values were significantly lower in diabetic patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.001). In the diabetic group, significantly more subjects had abnormal fluorescein and rose bengal staining than in the control group (P < 0.001). Abnormal tear function tests were associated with poorer metabolic glucose control, panretinal ALP, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (P < 0.05), but not with duration of diabetes (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the study indicate that poor metabolic control, panretinal ALP, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy are high risk factors for ocular surface disorders in type 2 diabetes. These patients should be followed more carefully, and should be referred to an ophthalmologist when required.
Ozdemir
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School of KSU, Kahramanmaras 46050, Turkey. drmozdemir@hotmail.com
Buyukbese
M A
MA
Cetinkaya
A
A
Ozdemir
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001128:Argon; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013666:Tears
D001128:Argon