Your eyes might offer an early warning that your kidneys aren’t working as they should. While kidney disease is usually linked to fatigue, swelling, or urine changes, it can also affect your vision. Because both the kidneys and eyes depend on healthy blood vessels and fluid balance, issues in one can impact the other. Symptoms like persistent puffiness, blurry or red eyes, dry irritation, and colour vision changes may point to deeper kidney problems. If you notice these signs, especially alongside fatigue or swelling, it’s time to get your kidney function and eye health checked, as early detection matters.
Kidney disease may show up in your eyes first: 5 warning signs to watch for
While most people associate kidney disease with symptoms like fatigue, swelling, or changes in urination, few realise that early warning signs can show up in the eyes. That’s because the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering waste and maintaining fluid balance in the body, are closely connected to your circulatory system, including the delicate blood vessels that support your eyes. When kidney function begins to decline, it can trigger a cascade of changes that affect your vision, eye moisture levels, and even the way you perceive colours. If left unaddressed, these eye symptoms can worsen and may indicate more serious systemic issues. Here are five common eye-related symptoms that could point to underlying kidney problems and when it might be time to see both an eye specialist and a nephrologist.
Persistent Puffy Eyes
It’s normal to wake up with slightly swollen or puffy eyes after a late night or salty meal. However, if your eyes remain puffy throughout the day, especially if the swelling is around the eyelids, it could be a sign of proteinuria, a condition in which protein leaks into the urine due to damaged kidneys. This protein loss causes fluid to accumulate in soft tissues, such as around the eyes.Puffiness caused by kidney-related issues tends to be persistent and may also be accompanied by other symptoms like frothy or bubbly urine. If you notice these signs, don’t dismiss them as just fatigue or allergies; consult a healthcare provider for a urine test and kidney function screening.
Blurred or Double Vision
Sudden vision changes such as blurriness, difficulty focusing, or seeing double may be caused by problems with the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, a condition called hypertensive or diabetic retinopathy. Both high blood pressure and poorly managed diabetes are leading causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and they can damage the blood vessels in the retina.This damage may lead to fluid leakage, retinal swelling, or in severe cases, vision loss. If you’re living with hypertension or diabetes and experience visual disturbances, it’s essential to monitor your kidney function alongside routine eye exams.
Dry, Itchy, or Irritated Eyes
Chronic dry or itchy eyes can be uncomfortable and distracting, but they may also signal that something deeper is wrong. In people with advanced kidney disease or those undergoing dialysis, dry eyes are a common complaint. This can result from an imbalance of minerals such as calcium and phosphate or a build-up of waste products that affect tear production and eye lubrication.If your eyes frequently feel gritty, red, or sore, especially without any environmental triggers—it may be worth checking your kidney health. Staying well-hydrated and using artificial tears can help with comfort, but identifying the root cause is critical.
Red or Bloodshot Eyes
Redness in the eyes can have many causes, including allergies, fatigue, or infection. However, in the context of kidney disease, it may also be a sign of poorly controlled high blood pressure or diabetes. Elevated pressure in the blood vessels can lead to tiny ruptures in the capillaries of the eyes, making them appear bloodshot or inflamed.In rarer cases, autoimmune conditions such as lupus nephritis, which affects both the kidneys and other organs, can also cause inflammation in the eyes. If you experience redness along with other systemic symptoms like joint pain, swelling, or skin rashes, it’s important to consult a doctor for a comprehensive evaluation.
Difficulty seeing certain colours
Some people with kidney dysfunction may notice subtle changes in how they see colours, particularly blues and yellows. This could be due to damage to the optic nerve or changes in the retina, both of which may result from prolonged high blood pressure, diabetes, or uremic toxins (waste buildup in the body due to poor kidney filtration).These vision changes might start slowly and go unnoticed at first, but they can become more noticeable over time. If you find it increasingly hard to distinguish colours or notice dullness in your vision, it could be more than just ageing eyes.
When eye changes are more than just ageing: signs of kidney disease
Occasional eye irritation or mild puffiness is usually harmless, especially if it resolves quickly. However, persistent or worsening eye symptoms, especially when combined with general fatigue, swelling in other parts of the body, or changes in urine, should not be ignored.Routine eye exams can sometimes detect early signs of systemic diseases, including kidney problems. If you’re living with a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure or have a family history of kidney disease, it’s wise to pay extra attention to both your vision and your lab results.Your kidneys and eyes may seem unrelated, but they’re more connected than you think. Because both organs rely on delicate blood vessels and fluid balance, damage in one area can often show up in the other. Eye symptoms such as puffiness, dryness, blurred vision, and colour perception issues may serve as early warning signs of underlying kidney trouble.If you notice unusual or persistent changes in your eyes, especially when paired with other signs like tiredness or swelling, seek medical advice. Early detection is key to managing kidney disease and protecting your long-term health, including your vision. Keeping an eye on your kidneys just might start with keeping an eye on your eyes.Also Read: Kidney stone sizes and their health risks: What you need to know, and what size of kidney stone requires surgery?
