Corneal Alteration and Pathogenesis in Diabetes Mellitus

Overview

Journal Int J Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2019 Dec 19

PMID 31850180

Citations 37

Authors

Han Zhao

Yan He

Yue-Rong Ren

Bai-Hua Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have increased considerably worldwide. Diabetic keratopathy is the major complication of the cornea characterized by delayed corneal wound healing, decreasing corneal epithelial sensitivity, and recurrent corneal ulcers. There is accumulating evidence that diabetic keratopathy is correlated with the hyperglycemic state. Different corneal components may produce different alterations under hyperglycemia. In addition, diabetic nerve alteration may become a novel biomarker of early-stage DM. Abnormalities of the corneal nerve plexus have been associated with diabetic inflammatory states. There is rapidly growing evidence based on investigations of diabetic corneal nerves through confocal microscopy. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis caused by hyperglycemia may assist in the identification of novel biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for early treatment. This review mainly summarizes recent findings on corneal alteration and pathogenesis in DM.

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