AIM: To compare the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT)obtained by optical coherence tomography(OCT)between patients with preclinical diabetic retinopathy(DR)and healthy subjects.

METHODS: Forty-eight type 2 diabetic patients and 100 healthy subjects were included in this study. All participants were evaluated for RNFLT by Stratus OCT. In diabetic patients, levels of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were examined.

RESULTS: The mean RNFLT in diabetic patients and healthy subjects was significantly different. The RNFLT of superior quadrant and 5, 11, 12 o'clock sectors had statistically significant differences. The relationship between the RNFLT changes of HbA1C with superior, temporal, and inferior area was recorded at 6mo follow-up.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that theglycemic control affects RNFLT. The mean and superior quadrant peripapillary RNFLT are slightly less in diabetic patients without retinopathy than in healthy subjects.