Jebmh.com Original Research Article J. Evid. Based Med. Healthc., pISSN- 2349-2562, eISSN- 2349-2570/ Vol. 4/Issue 69/Aug. 28, 2017 Page 4122 PREVALENCE OF DRY EYE SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES- A COMPARATIVE STUDY Somnath Das 1 , Nirmal Kumar Sasmal 2 , Shamim Rana 3 1 Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Kolkata. 2 Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Kolkata. 3 Postgraduate Trainee, Department of Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College, Kolkata. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of various ocular complications including Keratoconjunctivitis sicca resulting in tear film deficiency, significantly hindering the performance of daily life and may lead to blindness in severe cases. The objective of our study was to understand the association between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and development of dry eye syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS A pair of eyes of 40 patients with Type 1 DM and 60 patients with Type 2 DM was tested for dry eye syndrome using standard scores from Schirmer test 1, 2, tear film break-up time and Rose Bengal staining. Results were statistically analysed to understand significant association. RESULTS Patients with both types of DM belonged to middle or older age groups. Dry eye syndrome was present in nearly half of the patients, as assessed by different techniques. Dry eye syndrome was significantly increased with progressing age and duration of DM of both types in patients. There was, however, no significant difference in prevalence of dry eyes between patients with Type 1 and Type 2 DM. CONCLUSION Dry eye syndrome is an important comorbidity of DM and progresses with age and duration of the disease, and needs early detection and therapeutic management. KEYWORDS Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Type 2, Dry Eye Syndrome. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Das S, Sasmal NK, Rana S. Prevalence of dry eye syndrome in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes- A comparative study. J. Evid. Based Med. Healthc. 2017; 4(69), 4122-4126. DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2017/821 BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global metabolic disorder affecting the overall quality of life. 1 Insulin-dependent (Type 1) DM is a chronic autoimmune disease in genetically susceptible individuals, resulting from selective loss of insulin producing β- cells in the pancreatic islets. 2 It affects children, adolescents and adults, with a global increase of about 3- 4% annually, 3 and is a result of the complex interplay of several factors including environmental, nutritional and genetics. 4 Non-insulin-dependent (Type 2) DM is by far the most common type of diabetes, comprising greater than 95% of all cases. 1 Type 2 DM is caused by insulin resistance resulting from its progressive secretion defect, thereby increasing the body’s demand for insulin to maintain glucose homoeostasis and resulting in obesity. 5,6 DM is associated with several complications like acute myocardial infarction, stroke, end-stage renal disease, diabetic foot ulcer and microvascular complications such as nephropathy and neuropathy. 6-8 Hence, quality of life and productive years are often severely compromised due to the complex and multiple ensuing diseases 9,10 in addition to recurrent monetary expenses. 11 Additionally, DM is also a major cause of ocular complications including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic papillopathy, glaucoma, cataract, and ocular surface diseases such as diabetic keratopathy and dry eye syndrome. 12,13 Dry eye syndrome, also known as Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is one of the most common ocular disorders throughout the world. 14 It is a complex disease of the anterior surface of the eye and results in tear film deficiency, significantly hindering the performance of daily life and may lead to blindness in severe cases. 12,15 It involves multifactorial manifestations involving changes in ocular surface and discomfort, irritation, fluctuating and blurred vision, increased tear osmolarity, tear film instability and visual disturbance. 12,16 Considering the global trend in increase of both Type 1 and Type 2 DM, 17,18 and dry eye syndrome, our study was focused on understanding the prevalence of dry eye Financial or Other, Competing Interest: None. Submission 28-07-2017, Peer Review 03-08-2017, Acceptance 18-08-2017, Published 26-08-2017. Corresponding Author: Dr. Nirmal Kumar Sasmal, C/o. Dr. A.R. Banerjee, 61 Jubilee Park, P.S. Jadavpur, Kolkata- 700033. E-mail: nirmal734@rediffmail.com DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2017/821