Increased risk of dry eye disease observed in patients with diabetes: Study
A new study published in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications showed that dry eye disease (DED) is twice as common in people with diabetes mellitus than in people without the condition. DED is a common, multifactorial condition affecting the surface of the eyes and tears. It is among the most prevalent eye disorders. With a frequency that ranges from 5% to 50% worldwide, DED has major negative effects on public health for the broader community.
Researchers have recently become interested in DED, a common multifactorial condition of the tears and ocular surface, especially in determining its connection to diabetes mellitus (DM). Thus, this study sought to assess the relationship between diabetes mellitus and DED to determine the risks associated with the development of DED in patients with diabetes.
Peer-reviewed English-language publications over the past 10 years that detailed the prevalence of DED in the diabetic community were taken into consideration. The statistical study employed a random effect model with odds ratio (OR) and risk ratio (RR) and corresponding confidence intervals to calculate pooled effect sizes.
There were 23 trials with 5566 individuals in this analysis. DED was much more common in diabetics than in non-diabetics (OR: 2.30 [95 % CI: 1.54–3.43]; RR: 1.69 [95 % CI: 1.28–2.25]). DED risk was linked to poor glycemic control (HbA1c >7%), older age (>50 years), and longer duration of diabetes (>10 years).
The results by gender differed, with men having somewhat greater chances, however these differences were not statistically significant. Despite the high heterogeneity (I2 = 72%), sensitivity analysis verified the stability of the results. Oxidative damage, inflammation, and tear dysfunction associated with neuropathy were among the mechanisms that connected diabetes to DED.
Overall, DM and DED are significantly correlated, according to this systematic review and meta-analysis. According to the results, people with diabetes have a higher chance of having DED, and these risks are greater for women, especially those with diabetes mellitus who are 50 years of age or older. These results highlight the significance of closely monitoring inflammation, retinopathy, and dry v neuropathy.
Source:
Kai-Yang Chen, Hoi-Chun Chan, Chi-Ming Chan, Is there a link between dry eye disease and diabetes mellitus? A systematic review and meta-analysis,. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2025.109149.
