Anterior chamber and refractive parameters in diabetic patients according to metabolic status

Abstract

Purpose
Diabetes Mellitus is associated with changes in refractive parameters. Some aspects already studied were the corneal biomechanics and lens thickness. Although, the discussion about anterior chamber angle and depth is still open.
The author objective was to analyze and correlate the anterior chamber depth, lens vault and lens thickness with disease duration and metabolic status.

Methods
Prospective case–control study. The anterior chamber and refractive parameters were studied using the Visante OCT and the differences between diabetic patients with metabolic control and disease stability were determined (group 1), without (group 2) and group‐control (3). The metabolic control is based on HbA1c levels. The cut‐off considered was 7%.

Results
A total of 64 patients were evaluated (group 1 – n = 21; group 2 – n = 20; group 3 – n = 23). The mean age was 64.32 ± 7.55 years and approximately 5 years of disease duration. In both groups of diabetic patients we found thicker lens, narrow anterior chamber and higher lens vault compared to control group. There was a difference between diabetic groups exists, but it was not statistically significant.

Conclusions
The anterior chamber angle and lens vault are influenced by the serum glucose levels. Further studies will be necessary to clarify the physiopathology mechanism responsible for the anterior segment modifications.