1. Persistent swollen eyes
It is normal to have swollen eyes after staying up late or eating foods high in salt. However, if this condition persists all day, especially around the eyelids, it may be a sign of urinary protein. This is a phenomenon in which a protein leaks into urine due to kidney damage. This protein loss causes fluid to build up in the soft tissues, especially the area around the eyes.
Eye swelling due to kidney problems is often persistent and can be accompanied by foaming or foaming urine. If you have these signs, you should proactively take a urine test and get your kidneys checked as soon as possible.
2. Seeing only a little or a couple
Sudden vision changes such as blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, or vision can be a result of problems related to small blood vessels in the eyes, known as retinopathy due to high blood pressure or diabetes. Both high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes are leading factors causing chronic kidney disease, thereby increasing the risk of damage to blood vessels in the retina.
This damage can cause leakage, retina edema, or more seriously, lead to vision loss. For patients with diabetes or high blood pressure, monitoring kidney function combined with regular eye check-ups is mandatory.
3. Itchy, dry, irritated eyes
A chronic feeling of dry or itchy eyes is not only uncomfortable but also reduces the ability to concentrate. In people who have end-stage kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis treatment, dry eyes are a common symptom. This condition can result from an imbalance of minerals (such as calcium and phosphate) or from a buildup of urea waste that affects the production of tears, the eye's natural lubricant.
If your eyes often feel bulging, burning, or red without any environmental factors, you should see a general doctor. Drinking enough water and using artificial tears can help relieve symptoms, but determining the underlying cause is extremely important.
4. Red eyes
Red eyes have many causes, from allergies, fatigue to infections. However, this can also be a sign of high blood pressure or diabetes that is not well controlled. High blood pressure in the blood vessels can cause small capillary rupture in the eyes, causing the eyes to become red or inflamed.
If red eyes appear along with other systemic symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, or skin rashes, you need to consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis.
5. Difficult to see some colors
Having difficulty distinguishing colors or noticing blurred vision is not just a common sign of aging. Some patients with kidney failure may experience minor changes in the way they identify colors, especially blue and yellow. This can be due to optic nerve damage or changes in the retina - both of which are likely to be a result of prolonged high blood pressure, diabetes or the buildup of urene toxins (due to poor filtering ability of the kidneys).
These vision changes often start slowly and are not easy to notice, but will become more obvious over time. If you notice any of the above signs, especially combined with unusual fatigue or changes in urination habits, you should quickly check kidney function and eye health.
