You might not expect it, but your eyes can reveal early signs of kidney problems. If you’ve noticed puffiness around your eyes in the morning or episodes of blurred vision, your body may be signaling that your kidneys need attention.

Early kidney disease doesn’t always come with loud symptoms. Instead, it whispers—often through small, persistent changes you might overlook. Your eyes, delicate and vascular, can be one of the first places these whispers become visible.

In this article, you'll learn how kidney health is connected to your eyes, why symptoms like puffiness and vision changes matter, and what steps you can take to protect both. We’ll explore the medical facts, give you practical tips, and empower you to take action early—because prevention starts with awareness.

Understanding the kidneys and their systemic role

Your kidneys are powerful organs. About the size of a fist, they sit on either side of your spine, just below the rib cage. Each day, they filter around 50 gallons of blood, removing waste, balancing fluids, and regulating electrolytes.

They also:

• Help control blood pressure

• Support red blood cell production

• Maintain bone health by regulating vitamin D and calcium levels

But here’s where it gets interesting: the kidneys don’t work in isolation. When they start to falter, other parts of your body—especially systems dependent on fine blood vessels, like your eyes—can be affected too.

The link between blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys

Both your eyes and your kidneys rely on tiny, fragile capillaries to function. These small blood vessels can be damaged by high blood sugar, hypertension, or inflammation—all common contributors to chronic kidney disease (CKD). When those capillaries are compromised, it shows up in your retina, your eyelids, and your vision.

How early kidney issues can show up in your eyes

You might think kidney disease would announce itself with pain or fatigue. But in the early stages, symptoms can be so mild that many people don’t realize anything is wrong. The eyes, however, are incredibly sensitive to fluid shifts, vascular changes, and toxic buildup in the body—all of which can occur when your kidneys aren’t filtering properly.

Common eye-related symptoms of early kidney disease:

• Puffiness, especially around the eyelids

• Blurred or distorted vision

• Dry, gritty eyes

• Sensitivity to light

• Changes in color perception

• Retinal swelling or bleeding (in more advanced stages)

Let’s break these down to understand how they relate to kidney function, starting with one of the most common signs: puffy eyes.

Learn how chronic kidney disease stages progress and what symptoms to monitor.

Puffy eyes and fluid retention: what it means

You wake up, look in the mirror, and see swollen eyelids staring back. You might assume it’s a poor night’s sleep or allergies—but it could be something more.

Puffiness around the eyes, especially in the morning, can be an early sign that your kidneys are leaking protein into your urine. This condition is known as proteinuria, and it's one of the hallmark indicators of kidney trouble.

Learn more about the causes and implications of protein in urine.

How does protein loss lead to puffiness?

Your kidneys act like a filter. When healthy, they keep important proteins—like albumin—in your bloodstream. But when the filter gets damaged, these proteins slip through and are excreted in urine. Losing albumin disrupts your body’s ability to balance fluid, causing it to accumulate in tissues. The thin, delicate skin around your eyes is especially prone to swelling.

You may notice:

• Swelling that’s worse in the morning and fades during the day

• Puffiness that isn’t painful but feels soft and full

• Accompanying swelling in your ankles, feet, or hands

According to the National Kidney Foundation, puffy eyes are often one of the first signs people notice, particularly in cases of nephrotic syndrome.

Blurred vision: causes linked to kidney function

Blurred vision can feel frightening, especially when it comes on suddenly or persists longer than expected. For people in the early stages of kidney disease, there are several ways your vision can be affected—even before lab tests show a decline in kidney function.

1. Diabetic retinopathy

If you have diabetes, you already know it's a major risk factor for kidney disease. But the same high blood sugar levels that damage kidney filters can also harm the blood vessels in your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye.

This leads to diabetic retinopathy, which can cause:

• Blurry or fluctuating vision

• Spots or floaters

• Difficulty seeing at night

Learn about blood sugar monitoring and how it protects your organs.

2. Hypertensive retinopathy

High blood pressure, another leading cause of CKD, also impacts your eyes. Over time, chronic hypertension can cause the blood vessels in your retina to narrow or burst, resulting in:

• Blurred or double vision

• Headaches with visual aura

• Gradual loss of vision clarity

3. Uremic toxins and optic nerve health

As kidney function declines, waste products called uremic toxins build up in your bloodstream. These can irritate or damage the optic nerve, potentially leading to:

• Decreased sharpness of vision

• Impaired color perception

• In rare cases, complete vision loss

This is known as uremic optic neuropathy, a rare but serious condition that may be reversible with dialysis if caught early.

This often correlates with elevated creatinine levels, a common marker of kidney dysfunction.

Other eye-related symptoms of kidney disease

While puffiness and blurring are the most noticeable, there are several other ways early kidney disease can affect your eyes:

1. Dry eyes

Kidney disease can disrupt tear production or change the composition of your tears. Many people report dry, itchy, or burning eyes that feel worse in windy environments or after screen time.

If you're experiencing eye dryness, dehydration may be a factor. Here's how to tell if you're dehydrated.

2. Light sensitivity

Photosensitivity may stem from retinal swelling or subtle inflammation associated with CKD. This might show up as squinting in sunlight or discomfort in bright indoor lighting.

3. Changes in color perception

Some people notice that colors seem duller or have difficulty distinguishing shades. This may be related to optic nerve stress or electrolyte imbalances.

4. Retinal hemorrhages

In later stages, high blood pressure or severe kidney damage can lead to retinal bleeding, visible on an eye exam even if you don’t have symptoms yet.

Who is at risk and when to seek help

You’re more likely to experience eye symptoms linked to kidney problems if you:

• Live with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

• Have high blood pressure

• Are over age 40

• Have a family history of kidney or cardiovascular disease

• Are of African, Hispanic, or Indigenous descent (due to higher CKD risk)

If you notice puffiness, persistent blurry vision, dry eyes, or color changes, especially with a history of diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s important to seek medical attention. Early detection can protect your eyesight and your kidney function.

Diagnostic tips: At-home tests and doctor visits

The good news? Kidney issues can be detected early with simple tools.

What you can do at home:

• Use at-home kidney test to check for protein in your urine

• Consider using urine protein test strips for regular monitoring

• Log visual symptoms to discuss with your provider

What your doctor may recommend:

• Blood tests (creatinine, eGFR)

• Urine tests (albumin-to-creatinine ratio)

• Comprehensive eye exam with retinal imaging

• Referral to a nephrologist or ophthalmologist
  
  

Managing symptoms through kidney health

Many eye-related symptoms improve when kidney function is protected. This includes:

• Reducing salt to prevent fluid buildup

• Managing blood sugar with diet and medication

• Using eye drops or artificial tears as prescribed

• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol

• Staying hydrated—but not overhydrated

Your provider might also recommend medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs to reduce protein leakage and protect kidney function.

For broader strategies, read our guide on how to protect your kidneys.

Prevention and lifestyle: protecting both organs

Healthy habits support your kidneys and your eyes at the same time. Focus on:

• Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein

• Limiting sodium and processed foods

• Staying active: even walking helps circulation and blood sugar

• Getting regular sleep and managing stress

• Avoiding overuse of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), which can harm kidneys

If you suspect a related urinary condition, explore the role of urine pH in health monitoring.

Empowering steps to monitor your health

Knowledge is power. Here’s how to take control:

• Get your kidneys checked at least once a year if you have risk factors

• Pay attention to subtle changes in your eyes

• Advocate for yourself—ask questions and seek second opinions if needed

• Join support groups or online forums to stay motivated

Ready to go deeper?

Consider getting baseline kidney function tests to compare with your eye symptom patterns. Ribbon Checkup's at-home kidney health testing can provide valuable insights about your current kidney function, helping you understand whether your eye symptoms correlate with measurable changes in kidney health.

Takeaway: Your eyes as a window into kidney health

Your eyes can reveal a lot about your overall health, especially when it comes to your kidneys. Symptoms like puffiness, dry eyes, or blurred vision may be subtle signs that something deeper is happening.

By staying alert and taking proactive steps, you can catch kidney issues early, protect your vision, and safeguard your health for years to come.

 

Written by Abel Tamirat, MD
Dr. Abel Tamirat is a licensed General Practitioner and ECFMG-certified international medical graduate with over three years of experience supporting U.S.-based telehealth and primary care practices. As a freelance medical writer and Virtual Clinical Support Specialist, he blends frontline clinical expertise with a passion for health technology and evidence-based content. He is also a contributor to Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs.

Related resources

• Revolutionizing Kidney Health: The Impact of At-Home Kidney Tests
  Discover how home testing is changing the way we detect and manage kidney disease.

• What Is the Normal Urine Protein/Creatinine Ratio?
  Learn why this ratio matters and how it helps identify early kidney damage.

• How to Reduce Proteinuria: 9 Evidence-Based Strategies That Actually Work
  Take control of your kidney health with these actionable, research-backed tips.
  
  

References

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Farrah, T. E., Dhillon, B., Keane, P. A., Webb, D. J., & Neeraj Dhaun. (2020). The eye, the kidney, and cardiovascular disease: old concepts, better tools, and new horizons. Kidney International, 98(2), 323–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kint.2020.01.039 

Goyal, J. L., Gupta, A., & Gandhi, P. (2023). Ocular manifestations in renal diseases. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 71(8), 2938–2943. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.ijo_3234_22 

Pizzimenti, J. J. (2021, September 15). The Eye/Kidney Connection. Retrieved May 24, 2025, from Reviewofoptometry.com website: https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/the-eye-kidney-connection 

Wong, C. W., Wong, T. Y., Cheng, C.-Y., & Charumathi Sabanayagam. (2013). Kidney and eye diseases: common risk factors, etiological mechanisms, and pathways. Kidney International, 85(6), 1290–1302. https://doi.org/10.1038/ki.2013.491 

Zhu, Z., Liao, H., Wang, W., Scheetz, J., Zhang, J., & He, M. (2020). Visual Impairment and Major Eye Diseases in Chronic Kidney Disease: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2008. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 213, 24–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2020.01.002