Effect of Long Term Glycemic Control on Precorneal Tear Film in Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Purpose of the study was to find out the relation between HbA 1 c which is an useful indicator of long term glycemic control and the qualitative and quantitive activity of precorneal tear film with the help of Tear Film Break up Time(TBUT) and Schirmer's test respectively.40 type 2 diabetic patients and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls undergone HbA 1 c level, TBUT estimation and Schirmer's test after proper consent and explanation. Statistically significant (p value <0.05) decrease in TBUT and Schirmer's test values were observed in diabetic patients when compared to control group which further deteriorates with increase in HbA 1 c level. Our finding lead us to conclude that long term glycemic control can modify the qualitative and quantitative properties of tearfilm thus HbA 1 c level can be considered as one of the important predictor of dry eye syndrome among the diabetic patients.