5 eye signs warning of liver and kidney disease

The eyes are not only responsible for visual function but can also reflect many systemic diseases, including liver and kidney diseases. Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang, Tam Anh High-Tech Eye Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said some changes in the whites of the eyes, eyelids or vision can appear when liver and kidney function decline.

Yellow eyes

Scleral yellowing (yellow turning of the whites of the eyes) is one of the typical signs of liver disease. This condition occurs when the liver is damaged so that bilirubin (a yellow pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells) is not metabolized and eliminated effectively. Bilirubin accumulates in the blood and is deposited in the sclera, then spreads to the skin, causing jaundice.

Yellow eyes can occur in people with viral hepatitis, advanced fatty liver, cirrhosis or liver cancer. Patients often have symptoms such as dark urine, pale stools, itchy skin, fatigue or pain in the right lower quadrant.

Dry eyes

Persistent dry eyes may also be related to liver disease or chronic kidney disease. In people with liver disease, metabolic disorders and inflammatory reactions can reduce tear secretion, making the eyes easily dry, uncomfortable or often irritated.

Meanwhile, people with chronic kidney disease may have dry eyes due to water and electrolyte imbalance, reduced tear secretion or chronic inflammation in the body. If dry eye symptoms persist, do not improve despite conventional treatment, or are accompanied by other systemic symptoms, the patient should see a doctor to find the cause.

Edema around the eyes

Edema around the eyes, especially in the morning after waking up, is one of the warning signs of kidney disease. When the kidneys are damaged, protein can leak into the urine (proteinuria), reducing albumin levels in the blood. Albumin plays a role in retaining water in the blood vessels. When the amount of albumin decreases, the fluid will escape into the interstitium and cause edema. The eyelid area is often where edema appears early because the tissue layer under the skin is thin and loose.

Edema around the eyes due to kidney disease often lasts long, and may be accompanied by foamy urine, decreased urination, leg swelling or increased blood pressure.

Blurry vision, double vision

Blurred vision, double vision, or sudden difficulty focusing can be signs of damage to small blood vessels in the retina due to high blood pressure or diabetes. While hypertension and diabetes are two common causes of chronic kidney disease. If not well controlled, damage to blood vessels can cause fluid leakage, retinal edema, and even loss of vision. Therefore, people with hypertension or diabetes should have regular eye exams and regularly monitor kidney function.

Difficulty distinguishing colors

Prolonged decline in kidney function can also affect vision. Some patients notice a decreased ability to distinguish colors, especially with blue and yellow tones. This condition may be related to damage to the retina or optic nerve due to complications of chronic kidney disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes or the accumulation of toxins when the kidney’s filtering function declines.

Changes in color perception often happen gradually, so they can easily be mistaken for the aging process. However, if the colors seen are getting lighter or it is difficult to distinguish familiar colors, especially when accompanied by symptoms of kidney disease, the patient should have an eye exam and kidney function test for a comprehensive assessment.