Abstract
We examined the usefulness of corneal sensitivity as a quantitative indicator of diabetic sensory neuropathy. Corneal sensitivity was measured with a Cochet & Bonnet aesthesiometer on 49 healthy volunteers and 77 patients with non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The length of the filament was decreased by 10mm until a patient could perceive the exact number of the filament's attachments to the cornea. Estimation was carried out in 3 portions, the center of the cornea and sites at 6 and 12 o'clock. Although there was no significant difference among 3 portions and no big difference in values for both eyes, we performed the following study by using the mean value for a total of 6 portions in both eyes, to calculate corneal sensitivity more correctly.
The following results were obtained:
1) In healthy volunteers, corneal sensitivity was significantly decreased inpatients in their seventies or older.
2) Decreases in corneal sensitivity was more marked in diabetic patients with more progressed retinopathy.
These data indicate that the measurement of corneal sensitivity offers a simple and quantitative test of diabetic sensory neuropathy.
