English

Abstract

AIM: To study the correlation of dry eye status with severity of diabetic retinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study. One hundred patients with diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient and in-patient department, Department of Ophthalmology, K. R. Hospital, Mysore, were included under the study, between the periods from January 2014 to July 2014 (6 months). Informed and written consent was taken from all the patients. After detailed history, all necessary ocular and systemic examination was done. All diabetes mellitus patients were analyzed for dry eye status and presence of diabetic retinopathy changes. Dry eye status was evaluated with Schirmer’s test, Tear film break up time and conjunctival impression cytology. Retinal status evaluation was done by direct ophthalmoscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and Slit lamp Biomicroscopy using 78D lens after pupillary dilation. Diabetic retinopathy was graded accordingly to ETDRS classification. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test and contingency coefficient analysis was applied. RESULTS: A total of 100 diabetes mellitus patients were analyzed. 56 (56%) patients had Diabetic retinopathy and 44(44%) had normal fundus picture. Out of the 100 diabetes mellitus patients, 36 (36%) patients had dry eye. Significant association (P – 0.001) between dry eye and diabetes mellitus was seen. CONCLUSION: Dry eye and diabetes mellitus have a common association. Dry eye is more frequent in diabetes mellitus patients with longer duration and in patients with Diabetic retinopathy.