Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Ocular infections are a serious threat to the visual prognosis of diabetic patients. Often exacerbated by glycemic imbalance and pre-existing eye conditions, their progression remains unpredictable due to the limited therapeutic options available. Factors contributing to this unpredictability include the restricted diffusion of antibiotics within the eye, the toxicity associated with prolonged use of certain fortified eye drops, and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Objective: The aim of our study is to assess predisposing factors for specific types of ocular infections and their prevalence among diabetic patients, with the ultimate goal of enhancing preventive measures.

Materials and Methods: This study is an observational statistical analysis conducted at the Endocrinology and Diabetology Department of CHU IBN ROCHD in Casablanca, using the SPSS software. It focuses on diabetic patients who presented with severe ocular infections requiring specialized ophthalmological care from January 2021 to December 2023.

Results: In our study, 92 patients were included, comprising 38 men and 54 women, all of whom had ocular infections. The average age was 61 years (ranging from 27 to 81 years), with 93% having type 2 diabetes and an average diabetes duration of 12 years. The identified pathologies included endophthalmitis (42%), corneal abscesses (31%), and retro-orbital cellulitis (15%). Initial treatment involved local and intravenous antibiotics, and 12 patients eventually underwent evisceration. A1c levels were below 7% in 27% of cases, between 7% and 8% in another 27%, and above 8% in the remaining patients. The majority of diabetic patients were initially on insulin therapy (93%).

Conclusion: The severity of ocular infections in diabetic individuals is heightened by age, diabetes duration, and underlying glycemic imbalance. The risk of progressing to loss of ocular function underscores the need for strict glycemic control and close monitoring to mitigate these avoidable complications.