Development of an instrument for measurement of light scattering at the corneal epithelial basement membrane in diabetic patients.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Diabetic complications are associated with abnormality of the basement membranes. We have developed a light-scattering detection system (LSDS) specifically for measurement of light scattering at the corneal epithelial basement membrane, and have determined the reproducibility and clinical significance of the results obtained by the LSDS in diabetic patients. METHODS: Thirty nondiabetic controls and 40 diabetic subjects participated in the study. Light scattering at the corneal epithelial basement membrane was measured with the LSDS. RESULTS: The measurement of light scattering at the corneal basement membrane was found to be reproducible. The LSDS index (mean +/- SD) was 28.1 +/- 4.8 in controls, 35.7 +/- 6.3 in mild diabetic retinopathy subjects, and 42.7 +/- 8.6 in severe diabetic retinopathy subjects. This demonstrated that the LSDS index at the corneal basement membrane is proportional to the extent of diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of light scattering at the corneal epithelial basement membrane is possible with the LSDS, is relatively easy to perform, and is reproducible. The LSDS may prove suitable for the early detection of diabetic ocular complications.