Central Macular Thickness: a Comparative Study of Diabetics Vs Healthy

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the central macular thickness amongst diabetics with that of healthy population by using Optical Coherence Tomography. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology Unit I, Civil Hospital Karachi from 5th March 2012 to 4th September 2012. Material and Methods: We randomly selected patients with diabetes (cases) and healthy patients (control) with clinically normal macula and no diabetic retinopathy. Detailed relevant history was acquired. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured with standard Snellen’s chart. Detailed dilated fundus examination was done using +90D and +78D lens. Central macular thickness within an area of 1000 µm was measured using Optical Coherence Tomography. Results: There were 68 patients in each group. The mean age of patients in the Diabetic group was 47.94 ± 14 (20-80) years and in the healthy group it was found to be 39.53 ± 14.93 (20-80) years. Out of these 26 were male and 42 were female in the diabetic group whereas 27 were male and 41 were female in the healthy group. Mean central macular thickness of Diabetic eyes were 214.48 ± 31.41 µm and that of healthy eyes were 236.79 ± 19.38 µm with mean difference of 22.31 ± 4 µm (p value = 0.000).. A statistically significant difference in the central macular thickness of Diabetics and healthy patients was observed. Conclusion: The central macular thickness is significantly decreased in eyes of patients with Diabetes. Keywords: Central macular thickness, Optical Coherence Tomography, OCT, Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Maculopathy.