Study of association of dry eye with diabetes mellitus

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate the tear status in diabetes mellitus (DM) patient. Methods: This study was a prospective observational case control study. Eighty patients with DM aged from 50 to 80 years were compared with a group of 80 normal healthy age matched control group. A general ophthalmological check-up was performed. The main points of comparison were subjective complaints, objective findings on basic Schirmer test, break-up time, Rose Bengal test. Results: The results show that 27.5% of all diabetic subjects accompanied of dry eye symptoms, as against 6.25% of the control group. A mean BUT value was 15.5s and Standard Error was 0.20. In the control group mean BUT value was 14s and standard error was 0.23. Basic Schirmer test in DM group mean value was 9.50 mm and SE was 0.268. In the control group mean basic Schirmer test value was 15 mm and SE was 0.405. Rose Bengal test score in DM group, normal score (score <3) was found in 80% case and abnormal score (score >3) was found in 20%. In the control group, normal score was found in 93.75% and abnormal score was found in 6.25% case. Dry eye percentage in DM group 11.25% had definitive dry eye, 16.25% cases had possible dry eye and 72.5% cases had no dry eye. In control group 2.50% cases had definitive dry eye, 3.75% cases had possible dry eye and 93.75% had no dry eye. Conclusions: The study shows that dry eye is associated with DM.