Changes in central corneal thickness and endothelial cells count in patients with type 2 diabetes

Hassanain  H. Attar

doi:10.28922/qmj.v16i1.1046

Authors

Hassanain H. Attar College of Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28922/qmj.v16i1.1046

Keywords:

type 2 diabetes, corneal endothelial cells, central corneal thickness, diabetes duration and control

Abstract

AIM: comparison between the central corneal thickness (CCT)and corneal endothelial structure in type II diabetics and non-diabetic control patients.
METHODS: this observational study was performed in Diwanyia teaching hospital in which 350 persons ( 190 type II diabetic patients and 160 control subjects) were included. Specular microscopy and pachymetry were used to measure endothelial cell density, hexagonality, size, coefficient of variation as well as corneal thickness. Independent tests were used to compare variables between diabetics and controls.
RESULTS: Endothelial cell density in the diabetic group (2459± 244 cells/mm2) was significantly lower than that in the control group (2720± 129 cells/mm2,). The central corneal thickness (CCT) was higher in diabetics (541 ±32.8 micrometer) in comparison to control group (524±44.2 micrometer).
CONCLUSION: Type II diabetes causes a significant alteration in the state of the cornea including reduction in endothelial cell density and increased central corneal thickness.