HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Red eyes and frustrated.

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/25/2015 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
I've had crohns for years now and never had an issue with my eyes. Back in March I had an eye infection and was prescribed tobradex. It seemed to clear things up. Ever since then I'd have issues with my eyes looking blood shot for a few days then it would calm down but it always comes back. I've seen the eye dr since then and they tell me it isn't iritis or uveitis because it goes away on its own. Contacts bother me where before I could wear them all day every day. My eyes now are always a bit pink or bloodshot for no reason. No pain or sensitivity they just look horrible.

I guess what I'm asking is has anyone never had an eye issue and then had persistent ones. Back in oct I was told I was in remission (currently on humira) I had labs and the fecal calprotectin done this week and see the gi soon. I'm also seeing a derm because I'm also having skin issues

I'm feeling worse off than before I had surgery and at that point my disease was out of control. Sorry to complain. I don't have anyone around me that has crohns or knows how frustrating it can be

Thanks for listening
Posted 5/25/2015 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
I'm certainly not an expert on eye disease, but iritis is definitely associated with inflammatory bowel disease:

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/iritis

Iritis can also go away and return by itself, without treatment, just like any Crohn's disease flare.

A friend of mine has iritis, and treating it has also been frustrating for him. Steroid eye drops are often used, but that's not a good thing either. Basically, iritis is inflammation of the eyes, so anything that is anti-inflammatory has potential to help. At the end of the day, my friend settled on using herbal treatment.

I can't say much more. A visit to an ophthalmologist is warranted, but maybe you've already done that.

best regards,
Oz
Posted 5/26/2015 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Star, I didn't have eye issues for many years and then I started having painful, dry, bloodshot, eyes. The opthalmologist said mine was episcleritis, which he believed was due to my Crohn's. My extra-intestinal manifestations don't follow the severity of my gut problems. I'm not sure why.

I still have dry eye, but that may be due to some of my medications. Of all the eye medications I used, including Restasis, my dry eye calms down better with the OTC red-eye drops, but I only need that a couple times a week for now. I got chewed out for using them regularly by one optometrist, but after she examined my eyes, she said that whatever I'm doing, just keep doing it. Go figure.
Posted 5/31/2015 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Star,

Yes, I've had dry eye and treated with Restasis. I have also experienced some vision loss and have been diagnosed with closed angle Glaucoma which seems to be my body's reaction to a number of medications. If 1 percent of people have a specific severe reaction to a med....count me in! I'm not a physician but suggest you seek an opthalmologist familiar with crohn's as well as check side effects and interactions of all meds. Best of luck finding some answers and relief!

Age: 50
Diagnosed Crohn's June 2015
Ileocecal resection, appendectomy, Nissen Fundoplication
Lucky to suffer from the following as well: IBD; SIBO, Fibromyalgia, enteropathic arthritis, restless leg syndrome, hypertension, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, Rosacea, uveitis, Glaucoma,
Posted 5/31/2015 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all!

It turns out that I have uveitis and it's assumed to be related to the crohn's. My inflammatory makers are elevated and I see the Gi tomorrow to see what my next step is. I've been suing prednisone eye drops and my eye looks much less like a zombie and more human :)
Posted 6/1/2015 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you the best of luck! I didn't realize you could have uveitis with no pain. When I've had it I could barely keep my eye open because it was so sensitive. I'm glad they diagnosed you!
Posted 6/1/2015 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thats why i didnt think it was uveitis, I didnt have much pain and only minimal light sensitivity! Thankfully when I went to the eye dr he diagnosed it right away
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply