Dry Eye Syndrome in Subjects With Diabetes and Association With Neuropathy

Diabetes mellitus has been identified as a risk factor for dry eye syndrome (DES). The prevalence of DES in diabetes has been reported to be up to 54.3% (1). DES compromises quality of life because it induces ocular discomfort and visual disturbance and may be complicated by corneal epithelial defects, erosions, or ulcers. Therefore, it is recognized as a growing public health problem that should be diagnosed and treated (1). Among the various forms of diabetic neuropathies, chronic sensorimotor distal symmetric polyneuropathy (PN) is the most common form and may manifest with symptoms while sensory and motor deficits are detected (2). The cornea is one of the most densely innervated parts of the human body containing myelinated A-δ and unmyelinated C fibers, deriving its innervation from the ophthalmic division …