Correlation of Corneal Sensation, but not of Basal or Reflex Tear Secretion, With the Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Both corneal sensation and total or reflex tear secretion are reduced in individuals with diabetes. The decrease in corneal sensation, but not that in each tear secretion, was correlated with the stage of diabetic retinopathy. Given that loss of corneal sensation is a manifestation of diabetic polyneuropathy, these results are consistent with the notion that both diabetic retinopathy and polyneuropathy result from a basement membrane abnormality.