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Is there an association between diabetes and keratoconus?
Irene C Kuo1, Aimee Broman, Ashkan Pirouzmanesh
1Wilmer Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21236, USA. ickuo@jhmi.edu
Ophthalmology
|December 22, 2005
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is not associated with a keratoconus diagnosis. However, patients with DM have lower odds of developing severe keratoconus, suggesting a protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Corneal Diseases
Background:
- Keratoconus is a progressive corneal disease affecting visual acuity.
- Diabetes mellitus is a systemic metabolic disorder with various ocular complications.
- The relationship between diabetes mellitus and keratoconus remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between diabetes mellitus and the presence and severity of keratoconus.
- To determine if diabetes mellitus influences the progression or manifestation of keratoconus.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective comparative and cross-sectional studies were conducted.
- Data from 1995-2004 at the Wilmer Eye Institute were analyzed.
- Keratoconus severity was graded based on visual acuity and treatment, with adjustments for demographic factors.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found between keratoconus and non-keratoconus patients.
- Diabetes mellitus was negatively associated with keratoconus severity.
- Diabetic patients had significantly lower odds of having moderate or severe keratoconus compared to non-diabetic patients.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes mellitus is not associated with an increased risk of developing keratoconus.
- Diabetes mellitus appears to reduce the likelihood of developing severe forms of keratoconus.