Association Between Dry Eye Disease and Diabetic Macular Edema

This prospective observational cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) in adult diabetic patients at the Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University. Participants undergo comprehensive ocular assessments during a single baseline visit, including: DED evaluation: Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, and slit-lamp ocular surface examination. DME assessment: Clinical fundus examination and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging. The study aims to identify associations between anterior segment (ocular surface) parameters and posterior segment pathology (macular edema), to improve understanding of diabetic ocular complications and inform future screening and management strategies. The study design is cross-sectional (all assessments at a single visit) and prospective regarding enrollment and data collection at baseline.