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UC and vision

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/2/2009 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I'm confused...I start loosing my vision...sharpness. Could it be because of UC or medication? Should I mention it to my GI?
Posted 2/2/2009 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely. I used to have perfect vision, and now I have to wear glasses at all times, and after one year I already need a new prescription. Prednisone is a major culprit but the UC itself can ruin your vision on its own.
Posted 2/2/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
But I had no prednisone yet...:(( It there any chance to improve the vision?
Posted 2/3/2009 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I dont take pred either but my vision just gets worse and worse.
Posted 2/3/2009 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
My eyesight started going bad about 8 years or so ago. But one thing that was always constant is that during a flare, my vision would get blurry and then clear up, get blurry, clear up. It drove me nuts! But the opt doc said there was nothing wrong with my eyes. I found that as I get older then my vision tends to get a bit worse. I wear reading glasses right now and I should be wearing glasses for far away but I can't get myself to wear them! lol You might be able to get some help from Lutein. This is a supplement for the eyes - I couldn't take this though because it bothered my Uc a bit. Also too, Uc'ers are prone to get Dry Eye which is pretty common. Dry Eye can cause your vision to blur. It also makes your eyes sore and sometimes red. I have Dry Eye and use eye drops when I need to.
Posted 2/3/2009 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Sherry, it does get blurry and then clear up. At least I knoe it's "normal" with UC :-))
Posted 2/3/2009 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
 Hi There , My GI has asked me to have my eyes check and to mention that I have UC when I do. This way they can run the tests they have to.  I can't remember what he called it but there is a inflamation issue associated with UC that effects the eyes and can cause a loss in focus as I call it or sharpness . I've noticed that with myself as well and thought it was just me getting older. While he said that could be part of it in my case he did say that infamation behind the eye  something UC sufferers have to be checked for.

Posted 2/4/2009 10:15 AM (GMT 0)

Absolutely...I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Proctitis Jan 08, and in the past year or so my eyesight has deteriorated. I had an eye test in Feb 08 and needed glasses for driving, watching TV etc. By September it had got worse still and I needed a new prescription, and it has got worse still since then so I need to go back.

My consultant at the hospital told me there was no link between the 2 whatsoever but the optician said there is a link to do with inflammation. And obviously there are lots of people on here with the same feeling!

Posted 2/4/2009 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
My mom has eyeritus which is inflamation of the muscles in the eyes which messes with your vision and it's related to UC because it's autoimmune type thing.
Posted 2/4/2009 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
UC and the meds associated can cause serious damage to your eyes.  While i was sick my eyes were so bad, and every time i went to the eye dr they were worse and worse.  I was at -675 and -650 the time before last. After i had surgery and the UC was gone, my eyes are at -550 and -525 now

i didnt connect it with the UC being gone until i read a couple of other people saying the same thing.  and then it made sense, lol.

 

Posted 2/6/2009 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Yes for sure, it happens with UC.  My opt said that even if you ate something that won't agree with you, it can do that for people with UC.  It happened to me, maybe was on the verge of episcleritis or scleritis.  But since my UC has settled down about 80%, my eyes have been doing OK.  I do eyedrops for dry eyes as told by my opt to do.  This happens with people with an "autoimmune" problem.  I still have a problem with that suggestion, i think it's a bacteria or something like that.  I try to rest my eyes a lot.  

Posted 2/6/2009 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
My eyesight gets blurred when I'm on prednisone. Fortunately I only notice it at night. It clears up when I get off the prednisone.
BTW, I had lasik surgery, and my night vision in one eye is already not great.
Posted 2/7/2009 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I do agree that the eyesight is affected by UC as well as side effects of Prednisone. Peety in so far as blurred vision is concerned, it is due to prednisone intake. If you are on heavy dosage or you have just started it after taper down, your tear glands become much heavier and the eyes become watery. This causes blurred vision. I have four brothers and sisters suffering from UC and all of them have this problem with eyes - you may call it blurred vision/double vision. Infact my eyesight has been getting worst in last couple of months, even though i am off pred now.
PS Male 45 years - attorney by profession
Diagnosed UC 1989
had J Pouch 2005 November
Posted 2/7/2009 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Wow.. I can't believe this topic is here... I had noticed a few weeks ago that I wans't able to fucus on things quite right. I started to get more concerned about it yesterday while I was driving. It has been causing me headaches. I find it hard to explain because I can still read fine and see things far away.. but its like I am in a bit of a haze sometimes. I am only 27 so I didnt want to think it was because I was getting "older" .... I made an eye appt anyways, but it is not until March 6th. I was glad to see this article, gives me some peace of mind.

Can UC and eye sight really be realted tho.. it seems EVERYTHING is somehow relate to UC.. what a disease to have.... ;o)
Posted 2/7/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Found this link... it has some actual names of the troubles associated with eye problems and IBD

http://www.asacol.com/ulcerative-colitis/colitis-eye-sight.jsp
Posted 2/8/2009 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Pooie, make sure you tell tem that you have UC, I went there, and my vision was FINE according to their test, and they did a lot! :(
Posted 2/10/2009 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
spluxa, did you mention to them you had UC? What are your options now??
Posted 2/10/2009 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
spluxa, did you see an opthamologist? As pooie said, I think it's important for them to know that you have UC because they may do different/additional eye tests.
Last year, (I had not been diagnosed with UC yet) when I had episcleritis, the opthamologist used a super bright light and had me look up and down and sideways to examine the sclera of my eyes. It was really funky. The Opth put me on steroid eye drops.
Good luck spluxa. Keep us posted.
Posted 2/10/2009 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
No, I didn't mention UC, so they said my vision is perfect :( I guess I will go again to another doctor.
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