Studies have shown 54 percent of people with diabetes have dry eye. Also known as dry eye syndrome (DES), dry eye disease, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, this condition sounds harmless but should be taken just as seriously as any other diabetes eye complication. In fact, they are often related.
Chronically elevated blood sugar levels can damage the delicate nerves that support the ocular structures, resulting in poor tear quality and decreased tear production. This can lead to the development of dry eye syndrome.
It usually takes between 5 to 10 years to develop a diabetic eye disease. However, that doesn't mean that you're in the clear before then. Uncontrolled blood sugar can result in eye damage long before symptoms appear, and diabetic eye disease can result in severe sight loss or even blindness at any stage.
A multivariate linear regression showed that metformin use was the only independent variable associated with dry eyes.
Metformin is an oral medication used to treat type 2 diabetes that is generally well tolerated. GI upset, especially diarrhea, is the most common side effect. This typically decreases over time. Although rare, lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency can occur.
Advanced stage (proliferative): In this stage, the retina begins to grow new blood vessels. These new vessels are fragile and often bleed into the vitreous (the clear gel between the lens and retina). With minor bleeding, you may see a few dark spots that float in your vision.
Damage caused by diabetic retinopathy is typically permanent. This condition isn't fully reversible, but some treatments may help bring some of your vision back. While treatments aren't likely to return your vision, your eye doctor can help prevent your vision from worsening.
In later stages of the disease, blood vessels in the retina start to bleed into the vitreous (gel-like fluid that fills your eye). If this happens, you may see dark, floating spots or streaks that look like cobwebs.
Other common treatments include eye drop medications that increase tear production or low strength anti-inflammatory eye drops to help get the eyelid oil glands flowing normally, and even mechanical “milking” of the oil glands to restore their normal function (home based devices or an in-office procedure).
There is no permanent cure for dry eyes, but some treatments can relieve your discomfort for a long time. These include punctal plugs, surgery, and the long-term use of artificial tears and compresses.
Can you detect diabetes through an eye exam? “The answer is yes, yes you can,” said VSP network eye doctor Meghan Riegel, OD. According to Dr. Riegel, diabetes affects the blood vessels, and the back of the eye is the only place in the body where an eye doctor can directly view the blood vessels.
Your eye doctor can identify diabetes by looking at the retina's blood vessels. These tiny vessels can leak fluid or blood when you have diabetic retinopathy, which only develops when you have diabetes. Some patients may develop this condition before they're officially diagnosed with diabetes.
If you are wondering: Can diabetes be diagnosed by an eye exam, the answer is a partial yes. Opticians can detect signs of vision loss or eye problems caused by diabetes. A blood test run by your GP will confirm the diabetes diagnosis and provide treatment for blood sugar control.
Dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, and collard and turnip greens have a lot of the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants help protect cells in your retina and, with vitamin E, may help you avoid cataracts, too. Broccoli, peas, corn, and eggs are also good sources.
High blood sugar causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To correct this kind of blurred vision, you need to get your blood sugar back into the target range. For many people this is from70 mg/dL to 130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after the start of a meal.
While anyone can develop this eye condition, floaters are more common in people with diabetes who have developed diabetic retinopathy or diabetic macular edema.
More serious side effects are rare. They include severe allergic reactions and a condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. The risk for this is higher among people with significant kidney disease, so doctors tend to avoid prescribing metformin for them.
How long to take it for. Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin and switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.