Abstract
Purpose: :
Several cross sectional studies have found a positive and significant correlation between diabetes and primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG). However, there have been other studies that failed to confirm this significant association. Thus, the relationship between DM and OAG has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the intraocular pressure (IOP) in diabetic patients is significantly different from that of non-diabetic patients.
Methods: :
Seven hundred and sixteen patients who were >20 years and did not have any type of glaucoma were studied. The medical records of the first visiting of all patients were initially examined. At the initial examination, each patient had a detailed interview and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. The data were analyzed statistically using the Mann-Whitney test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Dunnet’s correction, and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient (r).
Results: :
The mean IOP of the diabetic patients was 15.9 ± 0.4 mmHg (mean ± SEM, n=219) which was significantly higher than the 14.0 ± 0.1 mmHg (n = 497) in the non-diabetic patients (P < 0.0001). The IOP was negatively correlated with the age (r = -0.213; P = 0.016) in the diabetic patients and it was weakly but significantly correlated with the level of HbA1c (r = 0.240; P = 0.015) in the diabetic retinopathy group.
Conclusions: :
he significantly higher IOP in diabetic patients and the positive correlation of the IOP with the level of HbA1c in patients with diabetic retinopathy indicate that the IOP in diabetic patients should be carefully monitored especially those with poor control of the level of the HbA1c.
Keywords: diabetes • intraocular pressure • diabetic retinopathy