STUDY OF DRY EYE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AT RURAL TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Purpose: Not much attention is given to evaluation of ocular surface abnormalities in diabetics. This study has been carried out to evaluate factors like age, sex, duration of diabetes in causing dry eye in type 2 diabetics along with evaluation of tear film stability using various tests like Schirmers test and Tear film break up time. Materials and Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, 50 patients were examined, who were a diagnosed case of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Detailed history, anterior segment evaluation was done. Ocular surface evaluation was done using tear film break up time and Schirmers test. Ocular surface disease index Questionnaire was taken. Results:Among 50 patients with diabetes 46% of patients had dry eye. All patients who had diabetes for more than 20 years had dry eye and just 31.57% had dry eye who had diabetes for less than 5 years. It was found that Diabetics showed reduced Schirmer, TBUT measurements. Conclusion:Patients with type II diabetes have higher prevalence of dry eye.Evaluation of diabetic patients using the OSDI questionnaire canbe helpful in identifying dry eye in early stages.Significant reduction in TBUT and Schirmer test was found indiabetic patients.