Accommodative Ability in Prepresbyopic Diabetic Patients

To compare various accommodative parameters in prepresbyopic diabetic patients with age-matched healthy individuals. Study populationconsisted of 32 younger-onset diabetic patients (30-40 years of age) and 28 age-matched healthy normal individuals. Using the best correction for distance visual acuity (20.20 by Snellen chart), multiple accommodative ability tests such as near point of accommodation, accommodative amplitude, negative or positive accommodative facility and near point of convergence were measured in both groups. Mean near point of accommodation in diabetic patients was significantly greater than the control group (18.5±4.4 centimeters [cm] versus 9.5±2 centimeters, p= 0.000). Mean accommodative amplitude was (5.93±1.75) Diopter (D) and (10.95±2.16) Diopter in diabetics and normal individuals, respectively (p=0.000). Mean accommodation facility was (3.19±3.04) cycle/minute [cyl/min] in patients and 10.01±5.09 cycle/minute in the control group (p= 0.000). Mean positive relative accommodation was (–3.37±1.19) D in diabetic and (-2.11±0.99) D in healthy participants (p=0.000). Mean negative relative accommodation was lower in diabetic patients compared with the control group, however, this difference did not reach statistical significance (2.61±0.65) D versus (2.61±0.60) D, p= 0.23). Mean near point of convergence was (8.23±1.43) cm and (7.13±0.67) cm in normal and diabetic groups, respectively which had insignificant difference (p= 0.45). Majority of accommodative ability functions decreased in prepresbyopic diabetic patients. Early detection and rehabilitation of such patients with corrective near spectacles are strongly recommended.