AIM:To investigate the correlation between dry eye and different degrees of diabetic retinopathy(DR)in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS: In the cross-sectional study, 340 patients(340 eyes)with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Tear film function tests including tear meniscus height, tear film breakup time(BUT), fluorescein staining, Schirmer Ⅰ test were performed followed by surveying questionnaires about dry eye. Retinal status was evaluated by retinal color photography and indirect ophthalmoscopy exam with dilated pupils to evaluate DR and whether companied by macular edema.

RESULTS: The prevalence of dry eye was 49.41%. The mean duration of diabetes in patients with dry eye was 11.15±7.07a, while 6.92±5.45a without dry eye(P<0.01). Dry eye had the positive correlation to the development of DR. The incidence of dry eye in people with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)was 1.097 times, 1.724 times, 2.86 times and 5.43 times respectively, compared with people without DR. The occurrence of dry eye in people with macular edema increased by 3.697 times compared with people without macular edema.

CONCLUSION: Dry eye was more prevalent in people with type 2 diabetes. The incidence of dry eye increased gradually with the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy.