Corneal endothelial cell density during diabetes mellitus and ocular diabetes complications treatment.

Diabetes mellitus may affect the cornea at various levels. Ocular surface changes and dry eye had been studied. Researchers are concerned that medical treatment of diabetes or retinal complications may result in endothelial damage and cell loss. This report summarizes the possibility of endothelial cell loss in diabetic patients. A decrease in endothelial cell density (ECD) in diabetic patients has been reported. In addition, corneal thickness may increase in diabetic patients. Significant endothelial cell loss has been demonstrated in long-term disease and in cases of poor metabolic control. No association between the use of oral hypoglycemics and ECD has been reported. There is also no evidence of an association between the use of insulin and corneal endothelial damage. No difference in ECD among the various degrees of retinopathy or with a history of photocoagulation has been shown. Regarding the studies comparing diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery, in all cases, the decrease in ECD is higher in diabetic patients than that seen in non-diabetic patients. However, there is no evidence of increased endothelial damage in diabetics compared to non-diabetics during vitreo-retinal surgery in phakic eyes. No significant changes in corneal endothelium after intravitreal anti-VEGF injections have been referenced.

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