[Corneal sensitivity in diabetes mellitus]

We measured corneal sensitivity in 30 eyes of juvenile and 70 eyes of maturity onset diabetics by means of the esthesiometer developed by Draeger. We found a significant decrease in corneal sensitivity in both juvenile and maturity-onset diabetics with a positive correlation between the decrease of corneal sensitivity and duration of symptoms in juvenile diabetics. In addition, the decrease in corneal sensitivity was more marked in diabetics with insufficient blood sugar control. Only 43% of diabetics with fundal changes had a concomitant decrease in corneal sensitivity. Diabetic retinopathy therefore seems to precede a polyneuropathy demonstrable by measurements of corneal sensitivity.