Background: Meibomian gland (MG) loss plays a role in dry eye. DM patients often complain of dry eyes. Infrared (IR) photography can image MGs in DM pts.

Purpose: To study Meibomian Glands in DM patients with dry eye.

Methods: A chart review (2017-2020) of T2DM pts and non-DM pts with Dry Eye was performed. IR imaging (820nm) and Corneal Topography (CT) was performed. T2DM Inclusion Criteria: HbA1c of >6.6%. Control Inclusion Criteria: non-DM pts, HbA1c labs. Inclusion Criteria for T2DM and Controls: 1) Vision 20/15 - 20/80; 2) IR imaging; 3) % loss of MG per eye, then averaged; 4) CT per eye, then averaged. Exclusion Criteria: eye surgery, medication eye drops, <18yrs old, >90yrs old.

Results: n=100 pts, Avg=58.4 yrs (sd=15.2, range 23-89 yrs). DM: n=50 pts, Male=25, Female=25, Avg=64.2 yrs (sd=11.7, range 36-85 yrs). Control: n=50 pts, Male=20, Female=30, Avg=52.6 yrs (sd=16.2, range 23-89 yrs). Visual Acuity Avg: DM: OD=20/20 OS=20/25, Control: OD=20/40 OS=20/40. CT Avg: DM=45.34 Diopters (D), Control=43.87 D (p<0.0001, t-test). MG % loss: DM=51.54%, Control=11.29% (p<0.0001, t-test). Of the 50 DM pts, 31 with HbA1c > 6.6% had an avg loss of 60% of their MGs, compared to all Controls with HbA1c < 5.7% had an avg loss of 12%, (p=0.0001, t-test).

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Conclusion: This small pilot study is the first to document Meibomian Gland loss in DM pts vs. HbA1c levels. Meibomian Gland loss may be a possible biomarker for DM. Infrared imaging may be useful for future evaluation of Meibomian Glands and diabetes.

Disclosure

D. Momen: None. G. Wu: None. C.K. Lau: None. J. Wong: None. J. Han: None.

© 2020 by the American Diabetes Association
2020
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