Frequency of Dry Eyes with and without Posterior Blepharitis in Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of dry eyes with and without posterior blepharitis in diabetic patients managed in our hospital.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi Pakistan from Feb to Jun 2021.

Methodology: A total of 160 patients suffering from type-2 Diabetes Mellitus with blood sugar fasting of more than 126mg/dl were included in the study. Dry eyes were assessed with Tear break up time tests and Schirmer. A consultant ophthalmologist conducted a detailed ophthalmological examination to diagnose posterior blepharitis among the study participants.

Results: There were 160 patients enrolled in this study. The mean age was 52.68±11.8 years. The study included 74(46.3%) male and 86(53.8%) female patients. It was found that tear-breaking time was significantly lower for diabetic patients with blepharitis as compared to diabetic patients without blepharitis (p<0.001). Similarly, the duration of diabetes was also found to be associated with tear breakup time. Patients who had diabetes for more than ten years were more likely to have a tear breakup time of fewer than 10 seconds compared to patients who had diabetes for not more than ten years (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Dry eye syndrome was common among patients suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with longstanding diabetes or those with posterior blepharitis were more at risk of dry eyes than those without posterior blepharitis or a shorter duration of diabetes mellitus.