Central Corneal Thickness and Intraocular Pressure in Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55489/ijmr.14022026105Keywords:
Central corneal thickness, Intraocular pressure, Diabetes mellitus, Glaucoma, Pachymetry, Applanation tonometryAbstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with structural and functional changes in ocular tissues. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) are critical parameters that may be altered in diabetic individuals, with implications for glaucoma screening and management.
Objectives: To compare CCT and IOP between diabetic and age- and sex-matched non-diabetic individuals, and to investigate the influence of diabetes duration and treatment modality on these parameters.
Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at Tertiary care hospital, India, enrolling 600 eyes of diabetic patients and 600 eyes of age and sex-matched non-diabetic controls between January 2024 and December 2024. CCT was measured by ultrasound pachymetry and IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometry. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean CCT was significantly higher in diabetic eyes (551.31 ± 21.76 µm) compared to non-diabetic eyes (516.12 ± 17.37 µm; mean difference 35.19 µm, 95% CI: 32.96-37.42; p<0.001; Cohen's d=1.79). Similarly, IOP was significantly elevated in diabetic eyes (16.38 ± 2.93 mmHg vs. 13.20 ± 2.42 mmHg; mean difference 3.18 mmHg, 95% CI: 2.88-3.48; p<0.001; Cohen's d=1.18). Both CCT and IOP increased significantly with increasing diabetes duration (ANOVA p<0.001 for both). A strong positive correlation was observed between CCT and IOP across duration subgroups (r=0.986, p=0.014). Sex and treatment modality did not significantly influence either parameter.
Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is independently associated with significantly elevated CCT and IOP. Both parameters show a progressive increase with longer disease duration, underscoring the importance of routine ophthalmic evaluation in diabetic patients for early glaucoma risk stratification.
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