Central corneal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

It has been shown that diabetes mellitus and systemic hypertension each are the risk factors for high intraocular pressure. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between glaucoma, and central corneal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with diabetes mellitus. Patients diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus type 2 (fasting glucose level ? 126 ml/dL) without systemic hypertension and glaucoma were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to their diabetes duration (0-5, 6-10 and 11-15 years). Central corneal thickness measurements were made with Pacline Opticone Ultrasonic Pacimetry. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were made with NFA II, GDx VCC. Data of the patients were compared with the findings of a control group consisting of healthy subjects. There were no significant differences between the control and other groups with respect to age and gender. Central corneal thickness was 544.17±37.95 in the control group, 543.89±33.37 in Group 1, 548.55±37.48 in Group 2, 552.11±32.53 in Group 3, and there were no significant differences between the control and other groups (p>0.05). There were also no significant differences between the control and other groups with respect to parameters such as TSNIT, SA, IA and NFI in the measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. There were not statistically significant differences between the diabetic patients and the control group on the basis of measurements of central corneal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. © Gülhane Askeri Tip Akademisi 2007.