Analysis of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Diabetic Patients without Diabetic Retinopathy and in Non Diabetic Patients: A Comparative Study

Abstract Purpose: To assess retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in diabetic patients without DR and in nondiabetic age matched controls. To compare the results of RNFL thickness between the 2 groups. Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted on 100 eyes diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus without diabetic retinopathy and 100 eyes of non diabetic age matched controls. All patients underwent visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, slit lamp examination, dilated fundus examination and OCT. Results: In our study, the mean age is 55.82±11.47. The RNFL thickness was thinner in temporal quadrant followed by nasal, inferior and superior quadrant in patients with diabetes with no DR when compared to normal age matched controls. Conclusion: Diabetic patients have thinner RNFL as compared to their age matched controls which is due to the neurodegeneration which precedes retinopathy. OCT is an effective tool to assess functional damage even before the occurrence of microvascular damage