[Study of tear function and the conjunctival surface in diabetic patients].

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to investigate whether different grades of diabetic retinopathy correlate with tear and ocular surface function in diabetic patients without subjective symptoms of dry eye.

METHODS

A total of 129 eyes of 72 patients without dry eye, assessed using McMonnies questionnaire were recruited to the study. The tear film and ocular surface were evaluated using the Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and lissamine green staining test, and conjunctival impression cytology. The results were analysed.

RESULTS

A normal Schirmer test and BUT was obtained in 51 and 67% of the eyes of diabetics patients, respectively. Fluorescein and lissamine green staining were negative in 81 and 95% of the eyes. The area and density of goblet cells was 580.46 ± 370 μm(2) and 235.58 ± 109.03 goblets cell/mm(2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetic retinopathy patients without subjective symptoms of dry eye and normal Schirmer and BUT test showed pathological grades of squamous metaplasia.