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Eye concerns

J

jonesd

Member
Messages
13
Does anyone know if there is a link between Type 2 diabetes and high eye pressure/ glaucoma ?
Had general eye test yesterday and eye pressures were high. Had to go back today for another more sophisticated test with an eye probe to read thickness of cornea and the pressures again. Still high 26 and 27. Have a retest in one week after which if the readings aren't below 21 I will be referred to eye hospital to see if I have glaucoma.
I'm really fed up as beginning of the week, made a deal with myself to catch up on all outstanding health issues/ appointments to make life simpler and hopefully be that bit healthier - was not expecting to come home yesterday with another potential disease.
Optician says there is no link. Also suffer with very dry eyes when I wake up , again he says no link with glaucoma or diabetes.
Any advice gratefully received. Hba1c was 9.2 in april and I am not taking any medication although DR prescribed Metformin. No monitor either. Seeing diabetic nurse next week and will see if I can get the SR version and advice on whether to buy a monitor.
 
Hi, there seem to be a lot of hits when searching Google for "is there a link between Type 2 diabetes and glaucoma?"

Most seem to be saying that there is a link between women with diabetes and a heightened risk of glaucoma, here is one such link but there are many others, it is also mentioned on many sites that high blood pressure is a risk factor too.

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/ ... a-risk.htm

I would also suggest that the lower your bg levels are the better when it comes to swerving eye complications, either through medication or diet/carb restriction. If you are concerned I would advise talking to your doctor about it.

Good luck
 
Dry eyes is a symptom that something's not right in your body (but you already know that, I realise). Several conditions cause drying of the mucus membranes of the body. It might be just your eyes, or more widespread. Definitely something to discuss with your doctor. In the meantime, you could use (plain) eye drops for comfort. Try to steer clear of medicated eye drops unless you have to.
 
I have mentioned it to two Dr's and they both of the opinion it's a condition you get as you get older and pretty much dismissed it. Will mention it to the diabetic nurse next week. You say there are several conditions that cause drying of the mucus membranes of the body. What might I be looking for ? Thanks for your time.
 
jonesd said:
Thanks Sid, interesting article . Hadn't thought of googling a question !
Click to expand...

Do it all the time, not found a question yet that google couldnt answer, mind you, you sometimes have to sift through a whole lot of rubbish before you find it :lol:
 
Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of medications. The body has intricate systems for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in terms of acidity, hydration, temperature, muscle tone, heart rate blood pressure, blood glucose, you name it. Any acute or chronic illness, or trauma or shock puts us out of balance. For example, Thirst is simply the body's way of telling you you're getting a bit dry, so you automatically take a sip of water (or gallons if you're about to be diagnosed with T1 diabetes). Messages get sent around the body via hormones and nerves. Diabetes is a hormonal dysfunction (insulin metabolism).

Dryness doesn't usually grab a doctor's attention because it is so common and likely to be explained by diabetes or tiredness, or stress. I imagine that high BG causes dryness (I can't really tell because I have dry mouth all the time from drugs). You could try googling "dry mouth" or dehydration and go from there.
 
My eye specialist told me that glaucoma has nothing to do with diabetes.

I had a reading once of 23 in my left eye, and my optitian said that was ok and he wouldn't have done anything about it if it hadn't been for the Governments new guidelines, so he had to send me to the eye specialist. When he took it it was down to 15, so no glaucoma.

He did give me a tip. He said that our eye pressure is naturally higher early in the morning, so go for eye tests either late morning, or afternoon. I also get dry eyes, and he suggested I use eye drops called 'Tear Drops'.

Helena
 
I was just reading about glaucoma and diabetes - there can be a link in some circumstances. It's not as clear a link as diabetes and retinopathy, but its something they need to keep in mind. When it comes to being screened for glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, I'd rather err on the side of caution. The reason guidelines are updated is to get more practitioners to lift their game by (for example) referring on when necessary, when evidence about what works for patients is increasing all the time.

I'd imagine that opticians adjust for time of day as a matter of course. That is, they'd interpret the results taking time of day into account.
 

I have always understood that ther IS a link and it seems to be assumed in my eye clinic. I know a few diabetics who have glaucoma and they have always been told it was linked to diabetes. IThey all have strong genetic links to diabetes.
and
I know that glaucoma can often be an hereditary condition.

I think i migh be the case that that dibetes is linked to congenital glaucoma. Perhaps there are types or causes of glaucoma which are NOT associated with diabetes.

The singer Andrea Bocelli was born with a rare hereditary glaucoma which later resulted in his losing his sight completely.

They know of no other family members with the condition and attribute it to his mother's appendicitis while he was in the womb. But his mother is diabetic.
 
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