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Dry Eyes and Diabetes

L

Louisc

Member
I am a Type 1 diabetic of 45 years, and in the last two years i have started to suffer from eye erosions (dry eyes) and it is becoming worse as time passes by. With severe erosions i have a patch on the eye and it takes 5 days to heal.

The treatment is the same every time it happens - Eye ointment and eye drops before i go to bed.

Is there anyone in this community who has had similar problems?

Is this problem exacerbated by diabetes, and more importantly how have they managed this problem.

Your inputs would be greatly appreciated.
 
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.
 
Thank you both for your quick response. What you have said above, and the web links that you supplied are very informative indeed.

I have been to the eye hospital and the optician, but never had a satisfactory response or explanation to the problem.

However, i have an appointment next week to see the doctor who will hopefully refer me to an 'eye specialist'. I have learned over many years to get on with life, and take its challenges as they present themselves. This is one challenge, is one that i am definitely struggling with at the moment.

Thank you
 
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
 
Hello fellow members,

The saline solution method is an interesting technique, and i have seen it referenced on the internet a number of times. Unfortunately, the wiping of the eyelids appears on the surface to be throwing good money away, but i stand to be corrected on this.

It would appear that lubrication is the key to the problem, but stimulating the natural eye lubricant is also essential. It will be eight days before i see the doctor, and who knows how long to see an eye specialist. However, in the meantime i will keep positive and look at the warm flannel method in the short term as an additional way of stopping the problem recurring again in the next few days.

Thanks for your contribution.
 
my eyes feel dry mostly in the mornings though even though I add cream to my eyes i tend to still keep rub them
 
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
Hello m_i for the contact.

Surprisingly, for the last six months i have had a bit of stability and been free from eye erosions, though the dry eyes persist. I have not used Hycosan drops too date. However, i have been using Halo-Forte eye drops which for me has worked. I also use Vita-Pos eye lotion just before i go to bed at night. The overall result has been a marked improvement in my eyes and my general demeanour overall.

Thank you for your contribution.
 
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.
 
Hello bmtest,

Thanks for your response. I am currently taking Hylo-Forte drops at the moment and am very happy with them. However it is £10.40 a bottle. But i will definitely take a look at 'lcon Tears Naturale' and see how i get on with that product.
 
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