Correlation of dry eye status with the duration of diabetes and the severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Purpose: To correlate dry eye status with the duration for which the patient has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and severity of retinopathy. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done involving 384 patients aged above 45 years with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of duration more than 5years. A detailed history was taken and ocular and systemic examination was done. Diabetic retinopathy changes graded according to ETDRS classification. Dry eye status was evaluated with TBUT, Schirmer's test, Fluorescein and issamine green staining of ocular surface and graded as mild, moderate and severe dry eye. Diagnosis was established by positivity of one or more of the tests. Results: The prevalence of dry eye among the diabetics was found to be 19%. Out of them, 93.15% had mild dry eye and 6.85% had moderate dry eye. The prevalence of mild dry eye was 42.86% in those who had DM for more than 20 years duration. The prevalence of mild dry eye among PDR was found to be 66.67%. Conclusion: There was statistically significant positive correlation between the dry eye and duration of diabetes and severity of retinopathy. Early treatment of dry eye should be initiated in dry eye positive individuals in order to prevent potential corneal complications.