THE PREVALENCE OF DRY EYE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH HBA1C LEVELS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL ATTACHED TO ANDHRA MEDICAL COLLEGE VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRAPRADESH, INDIA

Introduction:Dry eye is one of the most troublesome condition that produces symptoms like, ocular discomfort and visual disturbances which significantly affect the quality of life of patient. There is a marked variability in the prevalence rates of dry eye in world. The dry eye prevalence is much higher in Diabetics. HBA1C is an indicator of chronic persistent hyperglycaemia. Higher HBA1C levels are associated with higher complications rate associated with DM . This increased prevalence is due to diminished corneal sensitivity and increased reporting of the association of dry eye in diabetic patients. The aim of this study: isto determine the prevalenceand to estimate the correlation between dry eye and glycosylated haemoglobin in type two Diabetics in South India Methods: It was descriptive hospital-based study conducted on 50 diabetic patients with symptoms of dry eye syndrome, presenting to the ophthalmology outpatient department regional eye hospital Vishakhapatnam, between June and July 2016 of both sexes above 40 years of age, of both urban and rural population. Dry eye was assessed by subjecting the patients to TBUT or Schirmer?s test after taking the detailed history by using the standardized Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire to the eligible respondents on dry eye symptoms The diagnosis was confirmed by positive results of one or both the tests (TBUT or Schirmer?s test) and correlated to recent HBA1C levels . Results:Fifty Type 2 diabetic patients were studied, among which 31n are females and 19 n are males. Mild, moderate and severe forms of the dry eye are observed in Diabetic patients along with normal TBUT or Schirmer?s test in some people. No statistically significant correlation was noted between dry eye and HbA1c. Dry eye is more prevalent in females and occure at an earlier age than in men. In our study remarkable dry eye syndrome is present in 38% of cases (moderate and severe) . Conclusion:Dry eye is more common in patients of diabetes mellitus and is symptomatic in many but in ample no of cases it is asymptomatic also .Some patients may suffer from dry eye symptomseven with normal TBUT or Schirmer?stest.There is no significant correlation was noted between dry eye and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c).