Central corneal thickness in children with diabetes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Diabetology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus can affect various ocular tissues.
• Central corneal thickness (CCT) is a key parameter in ocular health assessments.
• Understanding CCT variations in pediatric diabetes is crucial for comprehensive eye care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) in children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.
• To investigate the association between diabetes mellitus-related variables and CCT in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 59 children with diabetes and 38 healthy controls.
• Central corneal thickness was measured using ultrasound pachymetry.
• Statistical analyses, including ANCOVA and multivariate regression, were employed to assess the impact of age, gender, diabetes duration, HbA1C, and fasting blood sugar on CCT.

Main Results:

• Diabetic children exhibited significantly increased CCT (mean 576.9 µm) compared to controls (mean 521 µm).
• A significant multivariate regression model indicated that current hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level was the sole significant predictor of CCT.
• Each 1% increase in current HbA1C correlated with an approximate 9.7-13.3 µm increase in CCT.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus demonstrate significantly greater central corneal thickness than their healthy counterparts.
• Current HbA1C levels, reflecting metabolic control, are independently associated with increased CCT in diabetic children.
• These findings highlight the importance of monitoring CCT in diabetic children, particularly in relation to glycemic control.