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Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Göz Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Purpose: To search whether there is any abnormality in tear film functions in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.
Methods: Eighty-six patients with type II diabetes mellitus were compared with a group of non-diabetic healthy controls comparable in number, age and sex. A general ophthalmological check-up was performed. Schirmer’s test, tear film break-up time test (BUT) and mucus fern test (MET) were employed in both eyes of the subjects.
Results: Age and sex distributions in the groups were similar (p>0.05). A BUT value lower than 10 sec. Was found in 33.13 % of the diabetics and 21.12 % of the healthy controls. Schirmer’s test lower than 10mm was observed in 37.79 % of the diabetics and in 28.87 % of the healthy controls. Pathologic MFT scores (grade III-IV) were found in 44.76 % of the diabetics and in 33.80 % of the healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the two groups in three tear function tests (Chi-square test, p>0.05). Mean values in the Schirmer’s test were 13.13 ± 7.72 mm for diabetics and 14.36±7.94 mm for the controls (Student t test, p>0.05). Mean values in the BUT were 12.93±5.45 sec. For diabetics and 13.63±5.09 sec. For controls (p>0.05). MFT test was no significant difference between the two groups (Chi-square test, p>0.05).
Conclusion: Although the tear film function test abnormalities were higher in diabetics, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Keywords : Dry eye, tear function tests, Schirmer’s test, break-up time test, mucus fern test