Prevalence of myopia and its association with diabetic retinopathy in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus: A population-based study

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence of myopia and its association with diabetic retinopathy in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus and compare the diabetic retinopathy status in the myopic group vs the emmetropic group. DESIGN: Population-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The population-based study estimated the prevalence of myopia from 1058 subjects, who were more than 40 years old and had type II diabetes mellitus; the patients were enrolled from a cross-sectional study. Participants answered a detailed questionnaire and underwent biochemical, physical and comprehensive ocular examination which included grading of nuclear sclerosis by lens opacities classification system III (LOCS III), seven field fundus photography and ultrasonography. Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic maculopathy were graded using the Klein's classification and early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) criteria respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of mild, moderate and high myopia in type 2 diabetes was 15.9, 2.1 and 1.9% respectively. The prevalence of any myopia was found to be 19.9% in our study population. After adjusting the age, gender, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c and other factors, increasing age was associated with mild and moderate myopia [OR 1.11 (95% CI 1.05 – 1.18)]. Compared to emmetropia, complete posterior vitreous detachment (CPVD) was associated with high myopia (50% Vs 12.2%, P < 0.0001). Myopia had no association with diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of myopia and high myopia was found to be 19.9 and 1.9% respectively among subjects with type II diabetes. Myopia was not associated with diabetic retinopathy, thereby, suggesting the need for a longitudinal study.