AIM:To comparae the difference on the prevalence of xerophthalmia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(2-DM)or without 2-DM, and analyse the related factors which can influence the prevalence of xerophthalmia.

METHODS:One hundred and seventy-eight patients during March 2014 to May 2015 were selected, in which eighty cases were with 2-DM(as observation group), ninty-eight cases were without 2-DM(as control group). Xerophthalmia was diagnosed according to WHO standard. Statistically analyze the incidence of xerophthalmia in the two groups. The patients in the observation group were grouped according to the duration of diabetes, age, gender and blood glucose level, and the difference of xerophthalmia prevalence in the groups were analyzed.

RESULTS:The prevalence of xerophthalmia in the observation group was 49%(39/80), which was higher than that in the control group(29%)and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The prevalence of xerophthalmia in patients with 2-DM was increased with age, duration and blood glucose levels, the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of xerophthalmia between different genders(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:The prevalence of xerophthalmia in 2-DM patients is higher than that in normal group, and increases with age, duration and blood glucose level. However, there is no significant difference in the prevalence of xerophthalmia between different genders.