Longitudinal Changes in Corneal Epithelial and Central Corneal Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes Assessed by AS-OCT: A Real-World Study
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate longitudinal changes in central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) and central corneal thickness (CCT) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) over 12 months in adults with type 2 diabetes receiving one of two routinely prescribed oral antidiabetic regimens, and to explore their association with glycemic changes.
METHODS: In this retrospective observational cohort study, 40 adults with type 2 diabetes receiving one of two routinely prescribed treatment regimens (vildagliptin-metformin, n=19; empagliflozin-metformin, n=21) underwent AS-OCT at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose were assessed at each visit. Precision analysis indicated detectable between-group differences of 4.7 µm for CCT and 6.1 µm for CCET.
RESULTS: Both groups showed significant within-group glycated hemoglobin improvement (mean reduction: -2.28% and -2.88% in the vildagliptin-metformin and empagliflozin-metformin groups, respectively; p<0.05) without between-group differences. CCT and CCET showed no statistically detectable longitudinal change over 12 months, with no significant differences in longitudinal change between groups. Glycated hemoglobin change showed a modest independent association with CCT change (β = 0.81 µm per 1% glycated hemoglobin; 95% CI 0.20-1.42; p=0.011; n=32).
CONCLUSIONS: Corneal structural parameters showed no statistically detectable longitudinal change or between-group difference over 12…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 40 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- The Role of AMPK Activation for Cardioprotection in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity
- Hypoglycemic medicines in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: Pathophysiological links between AD and glucose metabolism
- Isorhamnetin Reduces Glucose Level, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin Diabetic Mice Model
- Modulating Sirtuin Biology and Nicotinamide Adenine Diphosphate Metabolism in Cardiovascular Disease—From Bench to Bedside
- Characterization of the SGLT2 Interaction Network and Its Regulation by SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Bioinformatic Analysis
- Early Treatment with Empagliflozin and GABA Improves β-Cell Mass and Glucose Tolerance in Streptozotocin-Treated Mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.