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Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Tear-Derived Exosomal miR-15a as New Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy
Published on: December 30, 2025
Peripheral neuropathy and tear film dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Stuti L Misra1, Dipika V Patel1, Charles N J McGhee1
1Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Purpose:
To compare tear film metrics in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and healthy controls and investigate the association between peripheral neuropathy and ocular surface quality.
Methods:
Dry eye symptoms were quantified in 53 patients with type 1 DM and 40 age-matched controls. Ocular examination included tear film lipid layer thickness grading, tear film stability and quantity measurement, and retinal photography. DM individuals additionally underwent a detailed neuropathy assessment.
Results:
Neither mean age nor dry eye symptom scores differed significantly between the DM and control groups (P = 0.12 and P = 0.33, resp.). Tear lipid thickness (P = 0.02), stability (P < 0.0001), and quantity (P = 0.01) were significantly lower in the DM group. Corneal sensitivity was also reduced in the DM group (P < 0.001) and tear film stability was inversely associated with total neuropathy score (r = -0.29, P = 0.03).
Conclusion:
The DM group exhibited significantly reduced tear film stability, secretion, and lipid layer quality relative to the age-matched control group. The negative correlation between tear film parameters and total neuropathy score suggests that ocular surface abnormalities occur in parallel with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
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