Dry eye syndrome in diabetic children

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A Akinci1, E Cetinkaya, Z Aycan

  • 1Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Diskapi Children Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. arsenakinc@yahoo.com

European Journal of Ophthalmology
|December 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have higher rates of dry eye syndrome (DES) symptoms and signs compared to controls. Longer T1DM duration correlates with reduced tear secretion and stability.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common ocular surface disease.
  • Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune endocrine disorder.
  • Ocular complications, including DES, can affect individuals with T1DM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) symptoms and signs in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) versus healthy controls.
  • To evaluate objective measures of tear function, including tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test results, in T1DM patients and controls.
  • To identify potential associations between T1DM duration and ocular surface parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 104 children with T1DM and 104 age- and sex-matched controls were assessed for DES symptoms and signs.
  • Objective tests included tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test.
  • Disease-related variables such as T1DM duration, diabetic retinopathy, HbA1c, pubertal status, and autoimmune history were recorded for T1DM patients.

Main Results:

  • Diabetic children reported dry eye symptoms more frequently (15.4%) than controls (1.9%) (p=0.029).
  • Dry eye signs were observed in 7.7% of diabetic children versus 0.96% of controls (p=0.034).
  • Tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test results were significantly lower in the T1DM group, indicating reduced tear secretion and stability.

Conclusions:

  • Children with T1DM exhibit a higher prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) symptoms, signs, and diagnoses compared to controls.
  • Basal tear secretion and tear film stability are compromised in children with T1DM.
  • The duration of T1DM is the primary disease-related factor associated with impaired tear secretion and tear film stability.
Abstract

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