OCULAR SURFACE DISEASE INCIDENCE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Dry eye is disease of the tear film and the ocular surface of various etiology. According to the definition from 2007, dry eye is "a multifactorial disease of the tears and the ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbances, an unstable tear film and potential damage to the ocular surface; it can be associated with increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface (The International Dry Eye WorkShop, 2007). Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder. It is characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia of varying degrees of expression. The consequence is the lack and reduced efficiency of endogenous insulin. Diabetic changes in the anterior segment of the eye is the most often associated with Ocular Surface Disease.

Examination of type II diabetic patients was done in Health Center Nis during 2021-2022.

Retrospective statistic analysis during 2021-2022 at the Nis Health Center in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus type II and examination of the sighns of ocular surface disease. Data of patients with type II diabetes was taken (gender, age, duration of diabetes, most common glycemic value). A standard ophthalmological examination was performed visual acuity, slit lamp examination, TBUT test).

The retrospective analysis included 1094 patients suffering from diabetes. Statistically, there is a significant difference between the sexes, a higher percentage of women had the problem of dry eye 63% (724 patients). Patients who did not have regulated diabetes had these forms of dry eye 12% (130 patients). The length of illness from type II diabetes did not have much effect on the dry eye problem and its severity. 55% of patients (602 patients) had a dry eye problem with the TBUT 5-10 seconds and test below 5 sec 15%(164 patients). Rest of the patients had more than 10 seconds.

Complications in the posterior segment of the eye are the cause of vision loss, which may be irreversible, and changes in the anterior segment may be the first indicator of severity. With this work, we wanted to point out that there is an increasing number of patients who suffer from diabetes mellitus and have the problem of dry eye, which also affects the quality of life. The importance of regulating diabetes type II is important for eliminating the problem of dry eye, and the length of existence of diabetes type II did not affect the severity and appearance of dry eye.