The relationship between tear film osmolarity and dry-eye symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes: a comparison between the conventional methods of dry-eye assessment and the TearLab system

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: New & Interesting I

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 3

First Author: : A.Azimi IRAN

Co Author(s): :    S. Bamdad                       

Abstract Details

Purpose:

So far, the TearLab osmolarity test, despite its high sensitivity, has not been used for the diagnosis of the dry eye caused by diabetes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate dry eye in patients with type 2 diabetes using the TearLab osmolarity test and compare the results with Schirmer’s and the tear breakup time (TBUT) tests.

Setting:

51 patients with type 2 diabetes (case group) and 20 people with problems other than ocular surface diseases (control group) were evaluated with the TearLab osmolarity, Schirmer’s, and the TBUT tests. The hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level was also measured in 23 diabetic patients.

Methods:

51 patients with type 2 diabetes (case group) and 20 people with problems other than ocular surface diseases (control group) were evaluated with the TearLab osmolarity, Schirmer’s, and the TBUT tests. The hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level was also measured in 23 diabetic patients.

Results:

The results of none of the tests were not significantly different between the two groups. In the case group,  the results of the TearLab osmolarity test were significantly correlated with the severity of clinical symptoms. The HbA1C level was found to be correlated with the results of the TearLab osmolarity test and the severity of the clinical symptoms. In the control group, the results of Schirmer’s test showed a significant correlation with the severity of the disease and the results of the TBUT test were significantly correlated with the results of the TearLab osmolarity test and the clinical symptoms.

Conclusions:

Diabetes alone cannot be a reason to increase the osmolarity of tears, while blood glucose is one of the most important factors affecting the severity of the symptoms of dry eye.

Financial Disclosure:

None