No effect of diabetes mellitus on the optic disc morphology in primary open-angle glaucoma

Purpose To evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus on the optic disc morphology in primary open-angle glaucoma. Patients and Methods Within a group of 364 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, a subgroup of 52 patients with diabetes mellitus and a second subgroup of 312 patients without diabetes mellitus were compared with each other. Eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy had been excluded. Both subgroups were matched for age, gender, and refractive error. The optic disc was morphometrically evaluated using stereo disc photographs. Results The two subgroups did not vary significantly (p > 0.10) in mean size of the optic disc, neuroretinal rim and zones Alpha and Beta of the parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy, and frequencies of disc hemorrhages. Conclusions Patients with or without diabetes mellitus do not differ significantly in the morphology of the optic disc. One may conclude that diabetes mellitus does not markedly influence planimetric assessed optic disc damage in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, if eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy have been excluded.