Dr. Sumita Sethi Gulati, S09823, Dr. Ruchi Dabas, Dr. Mon
To evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) in diabetic subjects in rural Haryana; to test for correlation between CCT and duration and severity of disease. Cross-sectional study; 86 patients with type-II DM and 86 age matched controls included; those with other systemic diseases and history of intraocular surgery excluded.
CCT (in µ) measured by ultrasonic pachymetry; unpaired t-test used for statistical analysis. CCT significantly increased in diabetics (559.48±31.29) as compared to controls (534.61±34.55) (p<0.0001); positive correlation found b/w CCT and disease duration ≥ 10 years (=24) (p=0.001), HbA1C ≥7 gm% (n=63) (p=0.009) and presence of diabetic retinopathy (n=20) (p<0.0001). Diabetics in our population had increased CCT as compared to non-diabetics ; CCT was also significantly increased with duration and severity of disease. CCT could assist in early identification of diabetics with higher risk for systemic and ocular complications thus enabling better control of disease.