The Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on the Corneal Microenvironment and the Impact of the Donor Diabetic State on Corneal Transplant Outcomes.

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus has emerged as a major global health concern. Persistent hyperglycemia can cause complications through vascular damage, delayed tissue healing, and immune regulatory dysfunction. There is evolving research suggesting that corneal tissue from donors with diabetes may be associated with an increased risk of graft rejection in corneal transplantation. Currently, the impact of donor diabetes status on graft survival is widely debated and the literature lacks conclusive evidence. As such, this review aims to present the current literature on the effect of diabetes on the corneal microenvironment and the impact of the donor diabetic state on corneal transplant outcomes.