A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRE-CORNEAL TEAR FILM BETWEEN DIABETICS AND NON-DIABETICSUSING OCULAR SURFACE DISEASE INDEX

Purpose: To determine distinctive characteristics of pre-corneal tear film in eyes of diabetics and compare them with non-diabetics. Design: Hospitalbasedobservationalcross-sectional study. Methods: The study was done in thedepartmentofophthalmology from July2022-December2023. Patients presenting to outpatient department of ophthalmology who were of age>45 years, have a history of diabetes for more than three years and those without diabetes as control groups were chosen.300patients weretaken forthestudyand dividedinto two groups(150 diabetics and 150 non-diabetics). Sample size was decided based on a convenient sampling method.Ocular surface disease index(OSDI) questionnaire was used to assess symptoms and signs.Corneal sensitivity test, Tear film breakup time(TBUT) and Schirmer tests were done. The corneal and conjunctival stains were used. Chi-square test was used to examine outcomes. Other tests were applied accordingly. Results: Diabetic patients had poorer OSDI scores compared to Non-diabetic patients(p 0.001*). Patients with diabetes had reduced corneal sensitivity(p<0.05*). Schirmer II and TBUT values were significantly prolonged in Diabetics compared to Non-diabetcs(p<0.05*). Duration of diabetes significantly increased the severity of dry eye. Dry eye was more prevalent in diabetic retinopathy patients(p=0.02*). Strong association was found between HbA1C and severity of diabetic retinopathy with P<0.05*. Conclusion:The duration of diabetes and stage of retinopathy are closely linked to the occurrence and severity of tear film dysfunction. Early detection and treatment are vital for preventing dry eye syndrome and its potential progression to vision-threatening complications, through simple non-invasive methods.