Diabetes has a high blood sugar level and insufficient insulin production. Over time, when this blood glucose increases, it can impact various body parts, including the eyes. People with diabetes are more prone or vulnerable to dry eye syndrome than non-diabetic people.
Dry eyes are often considered harmless, but if not taken care of on time, they can result in corneal abrasion and ulcers. If you are in a situation where you have diabetes and any symptoms of eye problems in Buffalo Grove, you can consult any of the dry eye buffalo grove doctors for better treatment.
How Can Diabetes Increase the Risk of Dry Eyes?
- Damage to Blood Vessels: Diabetes can damage the blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply blood to the eyes. These eye blood vessels play a crucial role in providing nutrients and energy to various structures of the eyes, including tear-producing glands. So, when these blood vessels are affected, it can affect your eye health and tear glands. This will reduce the tear-producing capability and also lead to dry eyes.
- Reduced Corneal Sensitivity: The body produces tears in response to the messages received from the cornea. But if the nerves in the cornea are disturbed, it becomes less sensitive. In this situation, the eyes do not become aware of the sand in the eyes or whether they are dry, and they stop producing tears.
- Inflammation: Diabetes is associated with chronic inflammation, and it affects various parts of the body. Inflammation in the tear-producing glands can impair the ability to produce adequate tears, leading to dry eyes.
- Increased Evaporation: A high blood sugar level can lead to high evaporation of tears from the eye’s surface. It is due to changes in the eye film’s lipid layer, which helps slow evaporation. When the lipid layer is compromised, it leads to more evaporation of tears, resulting in dry eyes.
- Neuropathy: Diabetes can damage nerves, which are responsible for controlling tear production and maintaining the cornea’s health. It can disrupt the average tear film production and composition, resulting in dry eyes.
- Medication side effects: Some medications can have side effects on the eyes and contribute to dry eyes.
These are the potential pathways that can contribute to dry eyes among people with dry eyes. Therefore, if you are a person with diabetes, you should also consult a doctor for your regular eye checkup to ensure no potential eye problems.