Can Poor Gut Health Cause Dry Eyes?
Why Gut Health Might Be the Missing Link to Your Eye Issues
You might not expect your digestive system to have anything to do with your eyes. But according to board-certified functional health coach Anu Simh, your gut health could be one of the most overlooked causes of common vision problems—from dry eyes to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
In this weeks Clear Vision Wednesday episode, I talked with Anu to learn more about how gut health, the microbiome, systemic inflammation, and eyesight and eye health connect.
The Gut-Brain Axis
When inflammation is present in the gut, Anu explains, it doesn’t stay isolated. “Your eyes are part of the mucosal system,” she says. “So when your gut is inflamed, your eyes can become inflamed too—before you even notice any obvious symptoms.”
This inflammation can manifest as:
- Dry eyes
- Blurry vision
- Eye and eyelid infections
- Retinal conditions tied to blood sugar issues like diabetic retinopathy
- Autoimmune symptoms like like dry mucosal tissues and dry eyes, e.g. from Sjögren’s
Many eye doctors actually detect systemic health issues—like diabetes, lyme or mold—through retinal exams. Anu therefore starts every client evaluation with the gut health test such as a stool test.
What Is Gut Health, Really?
Anu makes an important distinction between the gut and the microbiome, often mixed up:
- Gut = Your entire digestive system, from mouth (saliva) to colon
- Microbiome = The trillions of bacteria (mostly in the colon) that help digest fiber, produce vitamins, and regulate inflammation
“When we eat fiber, we’re not actually digesting it,” Anu says. “Our microbes are. They turn fiber into powerful compounds like short-chain fatty acids that reduce inflammation and support vision and healthy metabolism.”
The Problem with Low Microbial Diversity
According to Anu, most people today have a severely reduced number of microbial species. “Modern-day hunter-gatherers have 1,500 species,” she says. “Most of my clients have 100–150. But I’ve seen as low as only 20 microbial species in some clients with severe health issues.”
This lack of diversity can lead to:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Blood sugar problems
- Increased risk for AMD, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases
- Dry eyes
- Poor immune resilience
If you’re only eating animal products without plant-based fiber, your microbes start fermenting protein instead—producing toxic byproducts like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
Gut Health Actions You Can Take Today
You don’t need expensive supplements or trendy protocols to begin supporting your gut microbiome. Here’s what Anu recommends:
- Eat more fiber – Found only in plants. Think leafy greens, tubers, beans, and cruciferous veggies.
- Add prebiotics – Garlic, leeks, onions, and asparagus feed your microbes.
- Use functional foods – Foods high in beta-glucans like mushrooms and oat bran which support gut health.
- Avoid ultra-processed foods – These “foods” crowd out nutrient-dense options and lead to overconsumption.
- Rotate your foods seasonally – Seasonal variety improves microbial diversity.
- Prioritize protein early in the day – Helps curb cravings and stabilize blood sugar.
- Start simple – “Small steps lead to big changes,” Anu says.
“At the end of the day, you’re feeding your forever guests,” Anu reminds us. “Your microbes are with you for life.”
Prebiotic vs. Probiotic: What’s the Difference?
Probiotics are live bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut. But not all products are created equal. Look for a variety of labeled strains on packaging (e.g., Lactobacillus rhamnosus etc).
Prebiotics are the plant fibers that feed those good microbes—your garlic, onions, bananas, leeks, and more.
Vision Supplements and Gut Support
While diet is the foundation, Anu takes the supplements lutein and zeaxanthin to support her own vision. These antioxidants are also found in foods like kale and spinach—and are better absorbed when gut health is optimal. You are not what you eat, you are what you digest!
Anu also encourages working with a practitioner to determine whether supplements like magnesium or omega-3s are right for you.
A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity
One of the most powerful takeaways? Shift your mindset.
“Instead of obsessing about how long you’ll live,” Anu says, “focus on how healthy you can live.”
That starts with honoring the wisdom of your body, trusting your gut—literally—and feeding it what it needs.
Learn More from Anu
Want to go deeper? Anu is offering a free training, “It’s Not You, It’s Your Microbes,” where she breaks down how gut health affects energy, mood, vision, and more. Missed the class? Check out her new book.
👉 Reserve your spot here
📘 Pre-order Anu’s book now
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
Gut Health Affects Your Vision and Blood Sugar?
For more on holistic vision, explore our past blogs on the Naturally Clear Vision website.
