The results of recent research show an increased propensity to develop dry eye syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Among the many problems faced by the diabetic patient, research presented at the ARVO 2018 Congress reported evidence of increased severity of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes.
Mebiomian glands are sebaceous glands, which are located along the eyelid margins and are responsible for the production of the lipid component of the tear film.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction or MGD (Meibomian Gland Dysfunction) is a chronic and widespread abnormality of the Meibomian glands, commonly characterised by obstruction of the terminal ducts and/or qualitative/quantitative changes in glandular secretion. This can lead to alteration of the tear film, symptoms of eye irritation, clinically evident inflammation and ocular surface pathologies.
In the study presented by Dr. Johanna Garzon, 37 patients with type 2 diabetes and 36 healthy controls were examined. In total, 71% of the participants had MGD: 76% of the diabetics and 67% of the control group.
As Dr. Garzon stated, the most relevant results were reported in the 60 to 64 year old group, in which there was an inverse correlation with blood glucose levels: the higher the levels of hyperglycaemia, the worse the symptoms of MGD.
A statistically significant difference was found in the rating of the OSDI questionnaires (Ocular Surface Disease Index), whose mean was significantly higher in the diabetic group (22.2 points), indicating moderate dry eye, than in the control group (16.2 points), which reported minimal symptoms.
In the diabetic group, there were also greater changes in eyelid and tear function, precisely in connection with inflammation and obstruction of the Meibomian glands, which is the basis for a higher prevalence of Dry Eye Disease (DED) among diabetics.
Source
Garzon J. Effects of diabetes type 2 on Meibomian glands, ocular surface and tear function. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting; April 28-May 3, 2018; Honolulu.
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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