A study on the angle of anterior chamber in relation to duration of diabetes mellitus and stages of diabetic retinopathy

Introduction: Persons with diabetes are more prone to develop shallow anterior chamber than the non diabetics. Decrease in Anterior chamber depth may lead to primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Our objective is to measure ACD in relation to diabetes duration and the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Materials and Methods: 250 eyes of 125 patients with type II DM were analyzed in this study. Patients were grouped based upon the duration of DM as less than 5 years, 5 to 10 years and more than 10 years. Gonioscopy with Goldmann 3 mirror goniolens and Goldmann 3 mirror fundus contact lens were used for the measurement of ACD. Results: Grade 1 ACD was more prevalent in the patients with diabetes duration of more than 10 years (60%) and Grade 4 in the less than 5 years group (47%). Grade 1 was significantly associated with severe NPDR and Grade 4 was associated with patients with out retinopathy (pValue=0.000). Conclusion: ACD is decreased with a longer duration of diabetes and the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Evaluation of ACD in diabetic patients is highly necessary to predict its serious complication, primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG).