Central Corneal Thickness and Endothelial Cell Changes in Diabetics and Age-Matched Non-diabetics in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India.

Background Diabetes has become an epidemic, significantly impacting ocular health as one of its end-organ responses. Among the various ocular complications, alterations in corneal morphology stand out. Central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell function are vital parameters in assessing intraocular pressure, conducting pre-refractive surgery evaluations, and maintaining corneal transparency. Understanding these changes in diabetic individuals compared to non-diabetics is crucial for managing ocular health in this population. Aim and objective This study evaluates and compares CCT and endothelial cell changes between diabetic individuals and age-matched non-diabetics. By analyzing these parameters, the study seeks to provide insights into the impact of diabetes on corneal morphology and its implications for ocular health. Methods The study recruited 124 patients from the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department (OPD) at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Sawangi. A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect data over six months. Patients were carefully selected, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. CCT and endothelial cell parameters were assessed using specular microscopy, a non-invasive imaging technique. Statistical analysis was done using the software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for inferential statistics, such as t-tests and ANOVA, and comparing parameters between diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Findings were interpreted based on both statistical significance and clinical relevance. Results In diabetic patients, the mean CCT was 547.91 µm, while it was 523.62 µm in non-diabetic individuals. The T statistic for this variable was 5.14, indicating a  significant difference between the two groups. Similarly, significant differences were found between diabetics and non-diabetics for endothelial cell density, coefficient of variation, and hexagonality, as evidenced by their respective T statistics of 7.46, 5.17, and 4.91. Endothelial cell density averaged 2375 cells/mm in diabetics and 2666.95 cells/mm in non-diabetics. Additionally, the coefficient of variation was higher among people with diabetes (40.87%) compared to non-diabetics (35.09%). Hexagonality, a measure of endothelial cell shape, was lower in diabetic corneas (40.48%) than in non-diabetic corneas (46.46%). Conclusion The study observed significant differences in corneal morphology, including central thickness and endothelial cell changes, between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. These findings underscore the impact of diabetes on ocular health and emphasize the importance of monitoring corneal parameters in diabetic patients. Understanding these changes can aid in better management and treatment strategies for ocular complications associated with diabetes.