Comparison of refractive error and central corneal thickness in neonates of diabetic and healthy mothers.

Purpose: To determine the refractive error and central corneal thickness of neonates born to diabetic mothers and to compare these parameters with those of healthy neonates born to healthy mothers.

Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 16 consecutive full-term neonates born to diabetic mothers and 17 full-term healthy neonates. The neonates underwent ophthalmic examination within the first week of life. Refractive measurements were assessed by retinoscopy. Central corneal thickness was recorded by using ultrasound pachymeter.

Results: The mean spherical equivalent for both eyes in the diabetic group was +2.9 ± 2.6 and significantly greater than that of the nondiabetic group (+1.3 ± 2.1 D) (p = 0.008). The mean sphere value was +2.6 ± 2.4 D in the diabetic group and +1.0 ± 2.0 D in the nondiabetic group, significantly higher in the diabetic group (p = 0.008). In both groups, mean astigmatism was less than 1.00 D, it was lower in the diabetic group, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.95). There were 2 patients in each group with anisometropia. The mean central corneal thickness in the nondiabetic group was 542.9 ± 21.9 μm whereas it was 592.0 ± 40.2 μm in the diabetic group, which was significantly thicker (p = 0.05).

Conclusions: Our study revealed that neonates of diabetic mothers seem to be more hypermetropic compared to full-term healthy neonates; however, we did not observe any significant astigmatism in either group. Neonates of diabetic mothers had thicker corneas.