Diabetic Keratopathy

Patients with diabetes often have corneal epithelial defects that persist or are unresponsive to conventional treatments. This complication of diabetes is known as diabetic keratopathy (DK). DK often presents as decreased corneal sensitivity, increased epithelial fragility, decreased wound healing, secondary scarring, punctate keratopathy, and edema. Additional complications include surface irregularities, corneal infections, and stromal opacifications. Loss of corneal sensitivity is caused by a hyperglycemia induced reduction in corneal innervation. This leads to a reduction of reflex-induced lacrimal stimulation and blink rate, resulting in greater tear evaporation. This reduction of tears leads to dry eye disease in many diabetic patients.