Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the corneal endotheliu
m in type I and type II diabetic patients. Methods: Seventy-five diabetics
divided into type I and type II groups and 62 healthy volunteers took part
in the study. The mean endothelial cell density and morphology, and the cen
tral corneal thickness were evaluated and statistical analysis was done. Re
sults:All evaluated parameters were found to be significantly different in
both diabetic groups with reduction of the mean cell density of 5% in type
II and of 11% in type I diabetes with respect to the normal age-matched con
trol group. Important alterations of endothelial morphology were observed,
The central corneal pachymetry was significantly higher in diabetics, with
p < 0.01 in the type I group and p < 0.05 in the type II group. Conclusion:
It is concluded that corneal endothelium in diabetices should still be con
sidered as a tissue under continuous metabolic stress with consequent high
vulnerability, especially in case of any external insult such as a surgical
procedure.