Celiac & Dry Eyes/Blurry Vision

[BNGed8]

Hello All,

I was diagnosed in early June 2021 with Celiac Disease & the few months after were a nightmare (mostly anxiety). At that time, I complained to my doctors as well as the hospital that I was experiencing blurry vision and what seemed to be floaters. They did blood tests to rule out other AI diseases, which all came back clear. This seemed to clear up a few months after, possibly when my anxiety started to lower.

Fast Forward to February 2022, I was out at a bar & was served flavored vodka (007) that had gluten in it when I specifically order Tito's & made them aware of my Celiac. Only really experienced stomach issues the next week or so, but seemed to subside. However, ever since, I have had even worse blurry vision & dry eyes. My eyes are constantly red & eye drops relieve the dryness for a few moments but nothing has helped the blurriness. I went to the Eye doctors last week, which he looked all over my eyes and saw no signs of damage or anything. He explained my eyes were definitely dry which could be from my immune system already working on over drive due to my Celiac, which would make me 100x more prone to allergies right now. Please note, this may not be exactly what was said but trying to type what I remember.

I am curious if anyone has experienced the constant dry eyes & blurriness after being glutened or just normally. It seems harder to read something up close rather than far away so not sure if it has to do with pupil dilation or something? Dry red eyes affects both eyes, but the blurriness is mostly in the left (does hop over to the right eye). Also if you have any recommendations on how to combat dry eyes caused by allergies other than eye drops. Really need to get the blurry vision taken care of as it is spiking my anxiety.

Thank you.

[Wheatwacked]

On 3/28/2022 at 2:48 PM, BNGed8 said:

combat dry eyes caused by allergies other than eye drops.

Taking any meds or supplements?

Hot shower helps the longest. It got really bad on BP med Amlodipine. I still have the problem and it may be the copious amount of coffee I drink (in denial about that). I rarely take out my contacts and noticed that once I started GFD there was no more protein buildup. 

Vision Clarity Eye Drops works well for me and since using (several years) it the cataract in my left eye is gone, right eye improved. Mostly I just squirt saline solution in them or rinse my face. 

[BNGed8]

I saw my primary yesterday, who did more blood work & referred me to a rheumatologist. She suspects I have Sjogrens Syndrome, which I feared I had the whole time. The dry eyes & mouth at night & morning are what makes it most difficult. I was hoping anyone who also has this condition can help me make life as “normal” as possible.

I know my life won’t be the same & I will have to get used to it. My questions are, is there anything you do for the Dry Mouth & Dry Eyes? I am constantly putting in eye drops that work for maybe minutes. I really don’t want to be spending $20 a week on drops. Also, do symptoms ever seem to go away for a period of time? Or is the dryness just a constant thing that will never go away. Any insight on SS will help, while I wait for my appointment in 4 months. Also the fatigue I have constantly is also pretty annoying. Anything to combat this & same as the dryness, is there periods where I won’t feel it?

[Maureen Sullivan]

I have had chronic eye issues both pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis.  I always assumed it was conjunctivitis (pink eye) and was usually prescribed an antibiotic eye drop which for the most part would knock it out.  But then, it became much worse and wasn't responding to any antibiotic - in fact worsening.  This correlated to a diagnosis of EPI (Endocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) characterized by severe vitamin deficiency of the fat soluable vitamins - Vitamin A/Beta Carotene in particular - as well as K, D, and E.  I began taking a massive vitamin supplement and also saw an ophthalmologist.  He basically didn't do anything in relation to the Vitamin A deficiency but focused on the dry eye/allergy perspective.  I was told to use Pataday drops (Extra Strength) 2x daily for a couple of weeks then backed it down to daily.  Additionally, I use Refresh Artificial tears (the type in the vial not the bottle for drops) when I think of it or my eyes feel dry, but initially was told to drop in a drop every hour for a couple of weeks, and then at night, I use the Refresh PM ointment.  I limit my use of the computer, taking breaks, occasionally using blue light filter glasses.  All of these measures have helped significantly; although I still have flare ups when I am not diligent or do a great deal of computer work and don't take breaks.  

I hope you find this information helpful!  

MS

[Wheatwacked]

This may sound weird but try eating four oranges (about 12 ounces peeled). It just made my eyes teary in a good way.

[knitty kitty]

I thought this study was very interesting...

It finds that Vitamins B1 (Thiamine) and B12 (Cobalamine) play an important part in alleviating dry eyes.

Effects of Oral Vitamin B1 and Mecobalamin on Dry Eye Disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7508221/

And Omega Three fats can help, too...

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids Therapy for Dry Eye Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4165511/

 

[Rebmes]

My wife struggled pretty bad with SS for a couple of years. What seems to work best for her, is that we now have a humidifier running in the bedroom each night, and another one in the living room for dry days. Also, some of her dryness was caused by high inflammation - it can really push things over the top.

I must point out that her SS symptoms were very severe, and the humidifier doesn't explain why she is so much better on that front, nowadays, so other things could have contributed (such as dietary changes we've continued to go through).

[BNGed8]

Thank you for all the replies. I was seen by a rheumatologist immediately, who also suspected SS. She did blood work which I received back today. I did finally on the 3rd time testing, receive a positive ANA. I will await my doctor's call to see what the results actually mean, but have also provided them below for anyone who has a clue. My Sjogren Anti SS-B was the only thing that was elevated, which was slightly (not flagged). Google is a weird place & says that its rare to have positive SS-B without SS-A. Also I have pretty low CPK levels (39 U/L, when 49 U/L is the lowest standard).

DNA (DS) ABS    <1 IU/mL    
0 - 9 IU/mL    
Negative <5
Equivocal 5 - 9
Positive >9
RNP Abs    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Smith Abs    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Smith/RNP Abs    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
SCL-70 Abs    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Sjogren Anti-SS-A    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Sjogren Anti-SS-B    0.3 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Antichromatin Abs    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
ANTIRIBOSOMAL P ANTIBODIES    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Anti-Jo-1    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI    
Anti-Centromere B    <0.2 AI    
0.0 - 0.9 AI

[Jane07]

Found out I have SS and advice would be helpful. Im Also on a gluten free diet 

[Wheatwacked]

I wear my mutifocal contacts 24/7 and take them out to replace on average, every 6 months.  -10 diopter.

I rotate between store brand plain optical saline, Refresh, Vision Clarity and Baush and Lomb Eye Relief.

Antioxidents like vitamin C and Taurine (essential amino acid may help, food sourced vitamin A .  Iodine from kelp has helped my eyes, My vision is usually clearer after drinking aRed Bull. Randomly they get better and worse.  I am sure it is food related but can't see any pattern. Eyes need glucose, not high fructose corn syrup.

[Raquel2021]

I have blurred vision as well. Trying to fix it as well. I find that adding natural curcuma (not the spice as I react to it )has helped me have clear vision the next day. Curcuma is powerful antiflamatory.