Changes in Contrast Sensitivity in Young Adults with Diabetes

Background: This study compared contrast sensitivity and visual acuity of young adults with diabetes to that of controls and attempted to identify predictors of dry eye symptoms in patients with diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study, which included 37 patients with diabetes and 37 age-matched controls, was conducted in the Optometry Clinic of Kulliyyah Allied Health Science. All participants were aged between 19 and 39 years. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of diabetes without any evidence of ocular disease, abnormalities in colour vision or media opacity. Results: The contrast sensitivity significantly differed between patients and controls (p = 0.045). A multiple regression analysis showed that contrast sensitivity was a significant predictor of ocular symptoms in patients with diabetes, and this was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Contrast sensitivity may be affected during early ocular changes among young adults with diabetes. It may also predict the occurrence of dry eye symptoms in such patients

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Disease in Kuantan, Malaysia

Background: To determine the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) at Jalan Hospital Eye Care, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Malaysia. Methods: The dry eye symptoms and tear breakup time test (TBUT) values retrieved from the medical records of 643 patients were retrospectively analysed. Dry eye cases with one or more symptom were included. ‘Yes’ or ‘no’ responses were used in discriminant analysis of tear abnormality (TBUT < 5 seconds). Results: The crude prevalence of DED was 48.5%, the age-adjusted prevalence was 43% in women <50 years of age, and 68.4% in those ≥50 years of age. Contact lens wear and low TBUT values were associated with DED risk in men. Age of ≥50 years and a low tear meniscus height (TMH) score were associated with risk of DED symptoms in women. Conclusions: The prevalence of DED in optometric outpatients at IIUM was relatively high, especially in the elderly population. Symptoms and signs were poorly associated with DED. TBUT performed well in diagnosing dry eye and may be useful to improve the assessment of patients with dry eye problems in this region