Tears before bedtime?

Bobbin

Well-Known Member
Messages
57
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I've had proliferative retinopathy treated using laser over a year ago and things are stable. I've problems with night and peripheral vision as a result.

I often have tears running down my face, particularly when I lie down at night or first thing in the morning, but at other times of the day too. Is this something to do with the retinopathy or treatments previously done, or something else entirely? I'm interested to know if anyone else suffers with this. It's embarrassing sitting at work wiping away tears etc.
 

Ambersilva

Well-Known Member
Messages
715
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I had that.

ENT Consultant diagnosed blocked sinuses and tear ducts. Saline wash with a prescribed nasal spray each day has cleared the problem.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin and himtoo

himtoo

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
4,805
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
mean people , gardening , dishonest people , and war.
why can't everyone get on........
thank you to both of you:) -- for the thread and the reply -- these are the exact sort of things that some of us will experience and getting the information posted like this will certainly help going forward.

huge hugs @Bobbin -- it does not sound a nice thing to be experiencing.

I don't get the tears but I definitely get blocked sinuses at night ( for over 8 years )
following laser treatment
I am yet to get a proper appointment with ENT -- I am on a waiting list !!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin and Snapsy

Snapsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,552
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I often have tears running down my face, particularly when I lie down at night or first thing in the morning, but at other times of the day too. Is this something to do with the retinopathy or treatments previously done, or something else entirely?
No experience of laser treatment here, @Bobbin , but my mum (non-D, no laser treatment) suffers from 'dry eye syndrome', which given the symptoms (tears and runny eyes most of the time) is rather a misnomer. She finds a product called 'viscotears' helpful. I gather her optician (fabulous local practice, not a chain) has a dry eye specialist.
:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin and himtoo

Freema

Expert
Messages
7,346
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
when my blood glucose was raised , I always had those running and searing eyes, especially in the evening but also other times of the day... when my numbers got down under 7 allmost all the time I never have this problem...I thought I was getting early old or that I had gotten cronically hyper sensitive eyes...

I also used viscotears
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin and Snapsy

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
I'm interested to know if anyone else suffers with this

I haven't had the tear problem but do experience the glare at night when looking at bright lights @Bobbin

As your under the care of a Ophthalmology Clinic why don't you mention this to the consultant at your next visit, if your appointment is some time away mention the problem to your gp. Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin

Dark Horse

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,840
One possibility is mild blepharitis. If the meibomian glands which are on the edge of the eyelid get blocked, the oil they secrete can't get onto the surface of the eye and do its job of reducing evaporation of the tear film. As the tear film evaporates, the surface of the eye becomes too dry and excess tears are produced. Warm flannel held to the eye twice a day plus eyelid cleansing can help and artificial tears can reduce symptoms. Bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics.

More details on self-help here:- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blepharitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin

Bobbin

Well-Known Member
Messages
57
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Thank you all for the responses and info.
I'll give the warm flannel a go and make an appointment for the GP. I'm already on a nasal inhaler for post nasal drip, so will ask about eye drops. I have previously mentioned the issue at the eye specialist clinic, but no response on it from them, they only seen interested in the back of the eye.
 

Brunneria

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
21,889
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
An acquaintance had this.
His was blocked tear duct on one side. He was constantly wiping the tears away, to the point that the skin became red and sore.
He was referred by his doc, and had 2 v minor operations to clear the tear duct (sorry, don't know the details)
I think that eye still tears up easily, but it is nowhere near as much now.

He is not diabetic, and only ever had the issue in one eye.

I hope you get it sorted! It made him very miserable - the wetness, the soreness, worse in cold weather, etc.
Please let us know how you get on?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin

Ambersilva

Well-Known Member
Messages
715
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Thank you all for the responses and info.
I'll give the warm flannel a go and make an appointment for the GP. I'm already on a nasal inhaler for post nasal drip, so will ask about eye drops. I have previously mentioned the issue at the eye specialist clinic, but no response on it from them, they only seen interested in the back of the eye.

I am being treated for Post Nasal Drip too. The extent of the blockage could me seen on an MRI scan. A nasal endoscopy too showed the blockage in the accessible passages. Have you not been advised to do a Saline Nasal Wash before using the spray?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin

Resurgam

Expert
Messages
9,850
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I have been taking hot baths at the end of the day to try to help with the pains in my legs, which do seem better for it, and I do put my whole head into the water a couple of times - I have this hope that the warmth and the blood getting into the skin might save me from wrinkles and baldness in old age.
It does seem to be beneficial for my eyes, which seem to alternate betweem crusty and runny on bad days, which have been far fewer recently despite the extra time I have been spending outside and the hot dry dusty winds which come up from the Sahara bringing red dust.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bobbin

Bobbin

Well-Known Member
Messages
57
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
An acquaintance had this.
His was blocked tear duct on one side. He was constantly wiping the tears away, to the point that the skin became red and sore.
He was referred by his doc, and had 2 v minor operations to clear the tear duct (sorry, don't know the details)
I think that eye still tears up easily, but it is nowhere near as much now.

He is not diabetic, and only ever had the issue in one eye.

I hope you get it sorted! It made him very miserable - the wetness, the soreness, worse in cold weather, etc.
Please let us know how you get on?
I'll keep you posted. :)
 

Bobbin

Well-Known Member
Messages
57
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I am being treated for Post Nasal Drip too. The extent of the blockage could me seen on an MRI scan. A nasal endoscopy too showed the blockage in the accessible passages. Have you not been advised to do a Saline Nasal Wash before using the spray?
No, just given the spray by the GP and told to use.
 

Ambersilva

Well-Known Member
Messages
715
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
No, just given the spray by the GP and told to use.

Would that be the spray with the big green lid or Avamys? They both have the same active ingredient but one is stronger than the other.

A lot of people use saline rinses just to wash out their nose. It is quite 'pleasant' once you get used to doing it. The result is clear nasal passages. It is found in most pharmacies and doesn't need a prescription. I use the wash first and then the spray.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Snapsy

Bobbin

Well-Known Member
Messages
57
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Would that be the spray with the big green lid or Avamys? They both have the same active ingredient but one is stronger than the other.

A lot of people use saline rinses just to wash out their nose. It is quite 'pleasant' once you get used to doing it. The result is clear nasal passages. It is found in most pharmacies and doesn't need a prescription. I use the wash first and then the spray.
It's called mometasone furoate nasal spray.
I still haven't got as far as organising a visit to the Dr about this.
 

Ambersilva

Well-Known Member
Messages
715
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
It's called mometasone furoate nasal spray.
I still haven't got as far as organising a visit to the Dr about this.

I don't know that that one. Is it doing what it supposed to be doing?