Background: Diabetes mellitus is a systemic metabolic disorder with important effects on the eye. Changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) can affect glaucoma risk and the accuracy of tonometry, and may relate to the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Objective: To evaluate the impact of diabetes on CCT and IOP, and to explore how these measures correlate with DR severity. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, 150 participants (75 with diabetes and 75 age- and sex-matched controls) were enrolled. CCT was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry, and IOP by Goldmann applanation tonometry. Fundus examination was used to grade DR. Group differences in CCT and IOP were compared, and Pearson’s correlation tested relationships with DR grade. Results: People with diabetes had higher mean CCT (553.29 ± 19.6 µm) and IOP (17.02 ± 5.2 mmHg) than non-diabetic controls (543.89 ± 3.21 µm and 15.45 ± 3.16 mmHg, respectively), with both differences reaching statistical significance ( P < 0.05). Both CCT and IOP showed a positive correlation with DR severity, with greater corneal thickening and higher IOP observed in more advanced retinopathy. Conclusion: Diabetes significantly affects corneal biomechanics and IOP. The increases in CCT and IOP, especially in patients with advanced DR, highlight the need for routine corneal thickness and IOP assessment in diabetic eye care to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce glaucoma risk.
Singhal et al. (Wed,) studied this question.