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Crohn's and eye problems ?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/2/2008 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Was wondering if any of you have had eye problems infections or whatever. I have had bloodshot eyes for almost 2 weeks one eye is looking better now but the other one is bloodshot looking at times. I took some antibotics and some tear drops as well as a night lubricant. How long do they usually last. MY PG did look at it threw a machine and said it was a infection. eyes They are feeling better now though just was wandering if this is a common occurence.Thanks for your imput here. I am still in the process of quitting smoking and that's enough to make anyone's eyes bloodshot. lol gail
Posted 4/2/2008 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Actually yeah I've had similar issues. A few months ago for like...2-3 weeks I frequently had people tell me my left eye looked bloodshot. I had no clue why and hadn't done anything to injure the eye. But now I guess maybe that's a reason for the bloodshot business...I hadn't even considered it was because of CD but maybe it was.
Posted 4/2/2008 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
What about episcleritis? That always made my eyes bloodshot looking and yes it was directly related to the state of my crohns. I think the drops the doc gave me was called prednisolone. The drops worked but it would always return in a few weeks or months b/c I couldn't get my crohn's controlled.
Posted 4/2/2008 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmmm maybe it is that. I think I'll have to read up on it now so when people ask me that again I won't look so confused and baffled. hehe
Posted 4/2/2008 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Another eye condition that is connected to Crohn's is uveitis or iritis and it is a serious condition that should be treated right away. It has a lot of common symptoms with episcleritis but I notice pain in the middle of the eye. As soon as I get this pain I go immediately to the ophthalmologist because you need a special instrument to diagnose this - it's called a slit lamp and optometrists and even ERs don't usually have them. So if you are experiencing any pain with the redness, you should probably have it checked out. Untreated, it can lead to blindness.
Posted 4/2/2008 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Gail-Ditto on Mishahu's post!!! Also with iritis there usually is not any mucus drainage from the eye. My daughter has reoccuring severe bouts of this and usually ends up having to get a steriod shot in her eye to get the inflamation under control. I can't count the times over the years she was misdiagnosed (most commonly pink eye or infection) on this and it could have cost her eyesight! See an ophthalmologist! They will take you right in if you tell them about your CD and what you may suspect. Don't ask or wait for a referral.
Posted 4/2/2008 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
WOW! thats good to know.....i had a bad left eye infection it was very sore and it hurt really badly.....i ended up going to the ER for it.......and i got some drops that helped it......the er doc thought at first that it was pink eye but i had no gunk in the eye......it was sealed shut in the am but it was clear.....i never had any idea that it could be related to my CD........i will bring that up next doc app......

Posted 4/2/2008 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all i just learned at the convention in Chicago there is a infection that goes along with crohn's that is in the eye and needs to be treated with special drops from the doctor. I think they said a steroid eye drop so i would call your doctor now. good luck. Barb
Posted 4/2/2008 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Is the eye exam they do to test the retina or whatever involve putting dye in the eye because my Dr. tested me with the big machine that they put dye in? He took me over to the hospital to do this.lol gail
Posted 4/2/2008 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
I've had the eye problems too, both infection and inflamation problems. My opthamologist is second only to my rhuemy on my medical team.
Sj
Posted 4/2/2008 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I used to get red dots in one or both eyes when I was younger and not on any pred.

It seemed to go right along with CD being active.
Posted 4/2/2008 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I've had multiple incidences of both episcleritis and iritis. You should definately get your eyes checked by an opthamologist as the iritis (uveitis) can be vision threatening - not to mention darn painful if left unattended. With me my right eye becomes red and irritated whenever I'm starting a flare...so I consider it a barometer to the state of my bowels!
I actually sought treatment by a specialist for my eyes before my diagnosis for CD. He told me on the second occasion that I should be tested for an auto-immune disease including crohn's. Less than a month later I was finally scoped and low and behold - the official CD diagnosis. The opthamologist knew before the GI doctor did!

Good luck,

Bev
Posted 4/3/2008 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
I've had the inflammation problems too. I had a great eye doc who knew right what it was. I have a standing script for the steroid drops now because he expected it to come right back. It hit me while the CD was in remission. I wouldn't mess around with eye symptoms.
Posted 4/3/2008 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have had what they thought was Episcleritis for almost a year now. Last month, my Opthamologist decided it was actually Scleritis and believes it may have been that, all be it mild, the entire time. I was on Prednisolone and it did help me, but just for a time. I am now on oral Prednisone and tapering off and it has really cleared them up!

Best of luck to you and please get your eyes checked! I now have a weird blue tint in both my eyes where the Episcleritis/Scleritis was. It doesn't bother me, but I have read that Scleritis can thin out your Sclera.

Please keep us posted on your eyes!
Posted 4/4/2008 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
bentwhistle- you'd probably be intrigued to know that an opthamologist can tell if you are pre-disposed to kidney disease as well as other auto immune disease. Fascinating isn't it! But of course most take the attitude not to tell a patient about this unless you were to present serious symptoms that require immediate attention. To suggest something of this magnitude would be like planting a seed with the patient ergo giving him/her an impending attitude of forthcoming doom and thereby affecting his physical health in a negative way. My daughter, who has Turner's Syndrome, opthamologist was really intrigued to know I had Crohns. Given the chance and the bucks for research he'd have been chasing us down in blood! He is also associated with a teaching hospital here as well.
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