Evaluation of corneal backward light scattering in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIM:To compare the corneal backward light scattering values in type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM)patients with those of age and sex-matched healthy controls.METHODS:The study included 30 patients(30 eyes)with type 2 DM and 30 control subjects(30 eyes).Duration of diabetes,most recent hemoglobin A1c levels,along with the status of diabetic retinopathy,and existing medical treatment of all subjects were recorded.All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination.In addition,backward light scattering(densitometry)was measured to assess changes in corneal transparency using tomography(Pentacam HR).RESULTS:The type 2 DM patients included 12 males and 18 females and control subjects included 16 males and 14 females.The age was 50.40±7.80y(range:40-68y)of the diabetic group and 49.30±9.50y(rang:40-73y)of control group.The diabetic group demonstrated significantly higher mean densitometry values of the anterior(6-10 mm)zone(P=0.047),the total anterior layer(P=0.036)and the total cornea(P=0.043)than control group.The corneal densitometry of the diabetic eyes demonstrated no significant correlation with hemoglobin A1c levels and DM duration.CONCLUSION:Diabetic group has higher densitometry in anterior corneal(6-10 mm)zone,total anterior cornea,and total cornea and with no correlation with hemoglobin A1c levels and DM duration.