Dry Eye: Causes And Treatment

Dry eye is a condition in which your eyes burn, sting, or are continually unpleasant. 

This may appear to be a small annoyance, but untreated chronic dry eyes, also known as dry eye syndrome or dry eye disease, can cause severe eye damage and vision loss.

This article will look at the relationship between dry eyes and diabetes, as well as the symptoms, therapy, and what you can do to treat dry eyes.

Connection between diabetes and dry eyes:

Dry eye syndrome is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It occurs as a result of elevated blood sugar levels.

High blood sugar levels can induce nerve damage in the eyes, resulting in reduced tear production.

In addition, elevated blood sugar levels can trigger inflammation throughout your body. This inflammation makes it difficult for your lacrimal glands, the glands in your eyes that create tears to operate.

Fortunately, controlling your blood sugar and maintaining it within a healthy range helps reduce your chances of developing dry eye syndrome.

According to a 2016 research published in the Journal of Ophthalmology, dry eye (or dry eye syndrome) is frequent in diabetics: the incidence ranges from 15% to 33% in diabetics over the age of 65, and it rises with age. Furthermore, the prevalence of dry eye corresponds with A1C levels: the higher the A1C, the greater the prevalence of dry eye.

Dry eye appears to be connected to diabetic retinopathy, which is associated with a decline in tear film function. 

Diabetes may also raise the risk of dry eyes in the following ways:

• High blood sugar levels can harm ocular nerves, especially those in the lacrimal (tear) glands that provide tear fluid.
• High blood sugar levels can cause sorbitol buildup in cells, causing injury to the lacrimal glands.
• Diabetes can harm the cornea and conjunctival epithelium, impairing tear film function.
• Tear secretion is reduced, as is the tear film's lipid layer.

What are the warning signs of Dry eyes?

Throughout the day, your eyes generate tears. Dry eye occurs when your eyes lack the tears they require to be hydrated and healthy.

Your eyes cannot operate correctly until healthy tears are produced. When your eyes do not produce enough tears, it can cause eye discomfort as well as a number of other eye symptoms, including:

• Mucus in or around your eyes
• Red or irritated eyes, especially when exposed to wind or smoke
• Wearing contact lenses causing you pain.
• Burning and stinging
• Blurry vision, particularly while reading
• A scratchy, gritty sensation in your eyes

Dry eyes might be a temporary condition that resolves on its own. This is possible when dry eye condition is not caused by diabetes. For example, your eyes may be dry because you spent time in an extremely dry or windy area, or because you wore your contact lenses for an extended period of time.

However, dry eyes caused by diabetes — or another underlying health concern  must be treated by a medical practitioner.

How is dry eye tested and diagnosed?

TBUT Test

Your doctor will ask you to blink while injecting a little quantity of dye into your eye for this test. Then, without blinking or shifting your eyes, you must gaze forward. If the dye covers the eye quickly, you could have dry eye, therefore the doctor will time it to see how long it takes.

The doctor may also examine you to determine whether you are crying sufficiently. They will numb your eye with eye drops and place a thin piece of paper on the edge of your eyelid to do this. You'll then close your eyes for five minutes while the doctor assesses the amount of moisture on the paper.

How is dry eye treated?

Dry eye symptoms can be addressed on occasion with over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears. You can use these as frequently as you like. If you find yourself utilizing fake tears more than six times each day, you may need to use preservative-free artificial tears. Consider using a specific eye ointment before going to bed.

Other treatments for dry eyes syndrome may include:

• Antibiotics. Antibiotics can help decrease inflammation in your eyelids and increase tear production. Oral medicines or antibiotic eye drops may be prescribed by your doctor.
• Eye drops. Inflammation can also be managed with eye drops containing the immune-suppressing drug cyclosporine (Restasis).
• Tear-inducing medicines. These drugs can stimulate the production of tears in your eyes. They come in a variety of forms, including eye drops and gels, as well as pills that you take orally.
• Special contact lenses to protect the eye's surface.

You can also take actions to reduce and even prevent dry eye problems. Here's what could be useful:

• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid being exposed to smoke, wind, and air conditioning.
• When you're outside, put on wrap-around shades.
• Omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained by eating fatty fish or flaxseed. Alternatively, see your eye doctor about taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.
• Include vitamin A-rich foods in your diet, such as leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, red peppers, cantaloupe, mango, milk, and eggs.
• Take a break from your computer, phone, tablet, or television.

Does diabetes cause other eye problems?

High blood sugar levels can harm your eyes and impair your eyesight. Diabetes, in addition to dry eye, can cause a variety of additional eye problems, including:

• Cataracts. Cataracts are brought on by proteins that collect on the eye's lens and create hazy, blurry vision.

• Glaucoma. Optic nerve damage from glaucoma affects your eye. It typically causes visual loss in your peripheral vision since it begins slowly. It can eventually cause blindness if neglected.

• Diabetes-related retinopathy. Diabetes retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. It has the potential to cause vision loss and blindness.

• Diabetes-related macular edema (DME). Blurred vision is caused by DME. It happens when blood vessels in a section of the retina called the macula leak and produce edema.

High blood sugar levels might make it difficult for your eyes to generate sufficient tears. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, this can contribute to chronic dry eye.

The best strategy to treat dry eyes caused by diabetes is to collaborate with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that maintains your blood sugar levels under control. While you work with your healthcare practitioner to regulate your diabetes, artificial tears and prescription eye drops can help reduce symptoms.

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