From Our Pharmacist - Blurry Vision and Dry Eyes

Dear Pharmacist:

Even though my eyes are examined regularly and are deemed healthy, my vision is often blurry and my eyes are dry. Can this be related to Type 2 Diabetes? — Adrienne, GA

Dear ExtraCare Advantage for Diabetes Member,

First, congratulations on having regular eye exams! Everyone with diabetes over the age of 30 should have a dilated eye exam every year. You should have them more often if you already have eye disease. This is because people with diabetes are at increased risk for eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts.

Blurred vision can be a symptom of Type 2 Diabetes. High blood sugar (glucose) levels can make your vision temporarily blurry. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to other problems. Manage your blood sugar levels to help avoid diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye problem that can lead to vision loss.

According to the National Eye Institute, dry eye happens when the eye doesn't make tears the right way. It can also happen when the tears aren't the right consistency and they evaporate too fast. Your dry eyes may or may not be related to your Type 2 Diabetes, which isn't one of the common causes of dry eyes.

Some causes include:

Antihistamines, certain blood pressure medicines, anti-depressants, and medicines for Parkinson's disease
Hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal women
Allergies
Pregnancy
Immune system disorders, such as Sj?gren's syndrome, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Conditions where the surface of the eye is increased, such as in thyroid disease or after cosmetic surgery
Too much or too little of certain vitamins

Dry eyes can be a long-term problem and if left untreated, can damage your eyes. See your eye doctor right away to find out what is causing your dry eye symptoms. There are many things you and your doctor can do, depending on the cause of your dry eyes.

Remember, blurry vision may be a sign of high blood sugar. Keep your levels as close to normal as you can to help avoid eye problems. Other things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy include:

Managing high blood pressure
Quitting smoking
Visiting your eye doctor for a dilated eye exam every year
Seeing your eye doctor if you notice any changes in your eyes or vision

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