In this study, we examined the changes in corneal biomechanical parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Fifty patients with DM were divided into 2 subgroups, 25 diabetic patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ≤ 7% and 25 diabetic patients with HbA1c > 7%) and compared with the eyes of 80 healthy subjects. Corneal biomechanical parameters were measured using ocular response analyzer (ORA). Differences in corneal biomechanical properties between healthy subjects and diabetic patients were compared. Additionally, differences in corneal biomechanical properties between diabetic patients with HbA1c ≤ 7% and diabetic patients with HbA1c > 7% were compared.

Corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and central corneal thickness (CCT) were statistically significantly higher in patients with diabetes compared to healthy subjects. Goldmann tonometer, non-contact tonometer and Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOP_g) were statistically significantly higher in patients with DM compared to healthy subjects, but corneal compensated IOP (IOP_cc) was not statistically significantly different between healthy subjects and diabetic patients. However, corneal biomechanical parameters, which were statistically significantly different between healthy subjects and DM patients, were not statistically significantly different between diabetic patients with HbA1c ≤ 7% and diabetic patients with HbA1c > 7%.

Considering that corneal properties are different between diabetic patients and healthy subject, IOP_cc measured with ORA is considered clinically useful for measuring IOP as it reflects CCT and biomechanical properties that should be revised. In diabetes, changes in corneal biomechanical properties depend on long-term glucose control rather than short-term glucose control.