Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Corneal Endothelial Cell Count

Abstract

Objective: To determine corneal endothelial cell count in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Study Design: Observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, and Karachi from 1^st April 2018 to 30^th September, 2018.

Materials and Methods: 78 patients of either gender aged between 40 to 60 years who were diagnosed type 2 diabetics and didn’t have any other ocular disease were included in the study. 78 non-diabetic control subjects were also recruited. Patient demographics were documented and corneal endothelial cell count was determined using specular microscopy. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.

Results: 156 eyes (78 diabetics and 78 controls) were studied.  Mean corneal endothelial cell count was found to be 2051 + 19.039 cells/mm² and 2580 + 260.3 cells/mm² in both groups respectively. No association of age and duration of diabetes with corneal endothelial cell count were found.

Conclusion: The corneal endothelial cell count in type 2 diabetics is significantly lower in comparison to healthy subjects.