Dry Eyes and Diabetes

I don't know if it is diabetes related because I suffered before I was diagnosed (but they suspect my LADA had been creeping up for a while). I take an omega 3 supplement which helps plus warm pads over my eyes pre bed.

Have you been to the opticians? Mine did checks to make sure the tear ducts weren't blocked and have given me loads of helpful advice.

There is information about diabetes and dry eyes here:- http://www.diabeticretinopathy.org.uk/sore_dry_eyes_in_diabetes.html#s

There is information about dry eyes in general here:- http://www.goodhopeeyeclinic.org.uk/sore dry eye.htm

I have a diagnosis of dry eye from an eye specialist and I have a treatment plan from my optometrist (which I keep forgetting to follow) but for me this is very minor.

The main effect is for me to be unable to see clearly first thing in the morning until the tear film gets established.

I am sorry to read that your problem is much more severe.

My treatment plan is saline solution in the eye, lubricant eye drops, and to hold a hot flannel over my eyes for 30 seconds in the morning to make the lubricant from the glands around the eye flow more freely.

I was told by the optician that I have one dry eye and to use eyes wipes at night but I can't really see what they do by just wiping the eyelid with them and they are expensive at almost £10 for box of twenty

my eyes feel dry mostly in the mornings though even though I add cream to my eyes i tend to still keep rub them

Have a a look at the Sjogrens syndrome web site particularly if you have arthritis or there is arthritis in your family.

I did not know this before, but it looks like dry eyes are a complication of diabetes:-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4861815/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8012143

Unfortunately, this knowledge adds nil to the management - sorry.

best wishes

Diabetes is also related to dental health,diabetic people are more prone to gum infections.

Pinkorchid said:

I was told by the optician that I have one dry eye and to use eyes wipes at night but I can't really see what they do by just wiping the eyelid with them and they are expensive at almost £10 for box of twenty

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I cut mine in two as I find one to big, you use them to prevent infections, I’ve just got over cellulitis in my one eye and you don’t really want this

I have had dry eyes for many years ( way before I was diagnosed with T2) and use hypromellose drops on a daily basis. It was explained to me that my tears were not fully lubricating my eyes and the hypromellose tops up the lubricating element .
Air conditioned environments also exaggerate the problem. I had not connected it to T2 diabetes.

it was my opthalmologist that informed me of the link between dry eyes and the D many years ago.
i use a carbomer gel which helps relieve the symptoms.

About two months of LCHF and my dry eyes (itching burning in am, but using solution during the day) and gum disease resolved.

No doctors advised the link to Type 2

I had dry eyes - so dry that they were close to being infected. Try Hycosan eye drops - preservative free and last up to 6 months. I have them on prescription (cost £10 each in Boots etc). I have the moisture level checked and after 3 years the levels are back to normal. I still use the drops. Some ophthalmologists have the machine that test for moisture in the eyes.

I suffered an eye injury a few years ago when a stone hit the cornea this developed into very painfull corneal erosion lasting 2 years the consultant said surgery however injurys like this take years to heal as the epithelium lair basically tears off time and time again after a nights sleep which is very very painfull and causes blurry vison. In fact its one of the most painfull things in the body to happen as the nerves are sensitive there.

So Dry eyes is similar to this and what i did to manage process is learn after sleeping not to open eyes before putting drops in and problem solved, I tried many drops but for me Alcon Tears Naturale work best.

Central Heating does not help have window open on a night learn to create teats naturally and drink plenty of water but the skill to master is never opne eyes before application of eye drop on a morning if you fail to do this the vision will be blurred for day. Also drink plenty of water especially if having a few pints on a evening as this can make it worse once you are into routine it's easy to cope with.

It maybe a case of just breaking the cycle i.e yes you are prone to dry eyes and there sore at present but once you manage the process more effectively it will drift away. You can create sensitive skin on the hands by not using marigolds when washing up and if you do it day in day out you skin dries out and become sore use gloves problem goes aways its the same with eyes use drops to clear and eventually you only need drops now and again.