A comparative study of changes in ocular tear function among patients with Type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is found to be one of the major causes for ocular disease such as retinopathy, cataract, and eye infections. Several studies in recent time focus on ocular function and tear function related to diabetes. This study is focused to find the differences in ocular tear function using Shirmer’s test and tear break-up time (TBUT) among three groups of people such as those who are normal, those with diabetes mellitus (DM) and the group of people having diabetic retinopathy (DR). Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the ocular tear function among normal subjects, patients with Type II diabetes mellitus, and among patients with DR and compare the results. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 participants were included in the study. Three different groups of population were selected such as the normal (30 respondents), DM (30 respondents), and DR (30 respondents). They were evaluated for their glycemic index using fasting, post-prandial, and HBA1C, by the researchers. An ocular fundus evaluation using 90 D biomicroscopy to select patients with DR was done. Two tests were used to study the ocular functions such as the TBUT test and Schirmer’s test. The data were entered in excel and analyzed with the help of SPSS 26. Statistical tests such as descriptive statistics, frequency and percentages, Chi-square, and Kruskal–Wallis were used. Results: The ocular tear film parameters, Schirmer’s test, and TBUT were significantly reduced in diabetic patients and those with DR when compared to control group. These results indicate that dry eye is a significant diabetic ocular surface disease feature. Conclusion: When compared with the control group, both the study groups (D.M. and D.R.) have a significant abnormality in the results of the Shirmer’s and TBUT tests. There is a strong association between diabetes control and ocular tear function tests and is proven that diabetic control has a highly significant influence on the ocular tear film function.