Are dry eyes a symptom of diabetes?

Most people with diabetes know that it can cause eye problems like retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. In about half the time, the people also have dry eye, although most don’t know it. That’s because the nerve damage that causes you to lose feeling in your hands, legs, and feet also can affect your eyes.

Why do I have dry eyes all of a sudden?

Your eyes get dry when they don’t make tears properly or when the tears dry up too quickly. Dry eyes can be caused by allergies, medications, certain medical conditions, hormones, and, yes, age. Most people over 65 have some symptoms, which include: Irritated, gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes.

What aggravates dry eyes?

The exact cause of chronic dry eye is unknown. External factors may aggravate dry eye symptoms, including conditions common in many workplaces such as prolonged computer use and exposure to air conditioning, heating, dust and allergens.

Can a low fat diet cause dry eyes?

Importantly though, this direction of research stems from a 2005 report of the Women’s Health Study,7,8 stating that low dietary consumption, not supplementation, of omega-3s and high omega-6: omega-3 (n-6:n-3) ratios are associated with an increased incidence of self-reported dry eye disease.

Can low blood sugar cause dry eyes?

One study showed that symptoms of dry eye are more common in patients with poor blood glucose control and those who have been diagnosed with proliferative diabetic neuropathy, the most severe form of this sight-threatening disease.

How can you tell if diabetes is affecting your eyes?

Diabetic retinopathy. This is a common condition for diabetic patients and occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the eye. This damage causes symptoms such as blurry vision, “floaters” and black spots in the field of vision, retinal swelling (called macular edema), poor color perception and even blindness.

Does avocado help dry eyes?

Avocado Health Benefits Antioxidants protect cells from free-radical damage, preventing disease. Zinc helps the body absorb vitamin A, which may also protect against night blindness and dry eyes.

Is potassium good for dry eyes?

Potassium is also great for dry eyes because it is one of the important components that comprise your tear film. Tear film is simply the thin layer of tears that cover the exposed cornea. Low levels of potassium have been linked to damage to your tear film, and potassium is critical the maintenance of film thickness.