Do Eye Problems Go Along With Celiac?

[JulesH]

About a year ago, after I'd been gluten free for 6-9 months, I noticed that my left eye was blurry. I got it checked and I had some weird spot on my cornea or lens or something. The doctor couldn't figure out what the cause was (whatever it was is usually something present at birth) and gave me steroid drops and sent me on my way.

Since then, my left eye has been completely clear, but a couple of days ago, my right eye suddenly went blurry. I'm getting it checked out tomorrow, but I was wondering if there's any correlation between celiac and eye problems.

[trents]

Jules, how old are you? Could this be "floaters"?

[Yenni]

I read in one of the gluten books (Dangerous Grains I think..) that the vision can get affected and it was recommended to check the vision 1-2 /year while healing. I had blurred vision while being real sick and got glasses. I don't know if it would have happened anyways though.

[Joni63]

For me, blurred vision is definately a symptom. My vision progressivly worsened before I went gluten free. Once on the diet I had clearer vision than I've had in years. Then I got glutened and had terribly blurry vision for 2 full weeks. It cleared up again, but it's one of my main symptoms when I get gluten in my system.

I tend to get it worse in my right eye. But that is where I have an astigmatism and my vision is always slightly different in that eye.

[darlindeb25]

I want to add here though--never take anything with your eyes for granted! Don't think--I must have been glutened because my eyes are blurry just because it happens to someone else. Bellyfat knows this happens and is aware of it from past experience.

The other day, we had a patient come in for a regular exam. The doc asked her if she was prone to high blood pressure and she responded with, not to her knowledge. He recommended that she go straight to her doctor and have it checked. Her doctor immediately put her on blood pressure meds, it was so high. Many medical problems show up through your eyes, before you even realize you have them.

Besides that, your eyes are the windows to your world, you want to keep them healthy. Things I took so for granted before, I realize now are very important!

[JulesH]

I want to add here though--never take anything with your eyes for granted! Don't think--I must have been glutened because my eyes are blurry just because it happens to someone else. Bellyfat knows this happens and is aware of it from past experience.

The other day, we had a patient come in for a regular exam. The doc asked her if she was prone to high blood pressure and she responded with, not to her knowledge. He recommended that she go straight to her doctor and have it checked. Her doctor immediately put her on blood pressure meds, it was so high. Many medical problems show up through your eyes, before you even realize you have them.

Besides that, your eyes are the windows to your world, you want to keep them healthy. Things I took so for granted before, I realize now are very important!

Don't worry, I'm a bit of a hypochondriac, so I make sure everything gets taken care of. I was just wondering if there's anything I can tell the doctor today that can help us find an underlying cause. Last year I went to the top eye guy at the local hospital (though there's a huge eye center near by that is considered the top eye place in this part of the world, which I've been given instructions to go to as an emergency case if this ever happens a third time) and the top eye guy couldn't figure out an underlying cause. He thought it would be vitamin A deficiency, but when I had my vitamins tested, my A levels were just fine.

Thanks for the information, everyone. I'll see if the doctor today has any information about celiac affecting vision.

[Firegirl43]

Ive had spots on my retnia for years and no one knows what it is.Sometimes my eyes will hurt.

[ptkds]

Wow, this really caught my attention!

About a month ago, I had blurry vision one day, so I immedietly went to see my eye dr. She discovered that the vessels in the back of my right eye were very small, and my left eye was fine. She told me it looked systemic and I needed to see my regular dr. So I did and got an MRI which turned out normal. Last week, I went to a different eye dr (recommended by my new PCP) and he said my eyes were fine, and the blood vessels looked normal. So I figured it was just fluke that day w/ my eye. But I still wonder if there is something seriously wrong, and the dr.s just havent' discovered it yet. Now I am wondering if it is because of my Celiac.

[num1habsfan]

Very interesting. I've had issues with the vision too from time to time. Sometimes it's like I can't even see, its just a blur nearsighted and farsighted. Other times my vision is terrific...

ptkds, does anyone else in your family has eye issues? that sounds EXACTLY like my dad's case. He pretty much can't see out of his right eye, and has had every kind of possible tests done and nothing has ever showed up positive!!

~ Lisa ~

[georgie]

Since then, my left eye has been completely clear, but a couple of days ago, my right eye suddenly went blurry. I'm getting it checked out tomorrow, but I was wondering if there's any correlation between celiac and eye problems.

This has been happening to me too. I saw a new Endo last week and within 5 mins he had a name ..... Not a nice name BTW ..... and I have since freaked - as my auntie had this disease - its autoimmune and genetic ( she also had thyroid and B12 issues like me - don't know about Celiac )

Myasthenia Gravis. Symptoms include drooping eyelids that get worse with fatigue and better with rest. Also the vision - gets blurred with fatigue and better with rest as ....... the eye muscles are affected.....

There are blood tests now for MG - about 50 - 80% accurate. And Neuros can do muscle stim testing..... However - not all Neuros know about MG that well.... And ...MG can go into remission too - so may explain strange 'episodes' that come and go.....

There are treatments and sometimes surgery is needed.... so ...be aware ...

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[petemoss]

This is one of my biggest concerns with celiac disease. I have been gluten free for 1 year and 2 months. My eyesight continues to get worse and worse. I am now noticing daily changes. Particularly at night I am seeing ghosting where the lights and images seem to be almost doubled up and down to the right. I also have a problem with glare. I can't see things if looking into the light. faces and objects are black it is sooo frustrating. Anyone else with ghosting and glare problems??

[darlindeb25]

Petemoss, you have to understand, everything can not be blamed on celiac disease. There may be something going on with your eyes that has nothing to do with your celiac disease. Some people have terrible night vision, my night vision is getting worse. I am 52, it happens. Go to an optometrist and get an eye exam. Don't just assume celiac disease is to blame. Even if celiac disease as an autoimmune disease is part of the problem, you should still have your eyes checked out. Diabetes is an autoimmune disease too and diabetes must always get eye exams for the safety of their eyes.

[georgie]

Petemoss - see a Optician and a Dr. There are many conditions affecting the eye - glaucoma, macular degeneration,Pituitary Tumours and Diabetes are some I know of - and they have similar symptoms to as you describe. Time is of the essence as early treatment can help stall these conditions and prevent total blindness. Left too late the damage is irreversable. Never overlook eye symptoms.

[Joni63]

I want to add here though--never take anything with your eyes for granted! Don't think--I must have been glutened because my eyes are blurry just because it happens to someone else. Bellyfat knows this happens and is aware of it from past experience.

Yes! You are absolutely right. I diddn't mention that I went to the optomotrist and had a thorough exam and they did find an astigmatism, but no serious problems. It is worth getting those eyes checked.

This has been happening to me too. I saw a new Endo last week and within 5 mins he had a name ..... Not a nice name BTW ..... and I have since freaked - as my auntie had this disease - its autoimmune and genetic ( she also had thyroid and B12 issues like me - don't know about Celiac )

Myasthenia Gravis. Symptoms include drooping eyelids that get worse with fatigue and better with rest. Also the vision - gets blurred with fatigue and better with rest as ....... the eye muscles are affected.....

There are blood tests now for MG - about 50 - 80% accurate. And Neuros can do muscle stim testing..... However - not all Neuros know about MG that well.... And ...MG can go into remission too - so may explain strange 'episodes' that come and go.....

There are treatments and sometimes surgery is needed.... so ...be aware ...

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This is exactly what happens to me. My right eye is worse than my left eye. But when I am overtired or during PMS they tend to blur more. I'll have to go and read these links. And sometimes when I'm catching a cold I can tell because my vision changes.

This is one of my biggest concerns with celiac disease. I have been gluten free for 1 year and 2 months. My eyesight continues to get worse and worse. I am now noticing daily changes. Particularly at night I am seeing ghosting where the lights and images seem to be almost doubled up and down to the right. I also have a problem with glare. I can't see things if looking into the light. faces and objects are black it is sooo frustrating. Anyone else with ghosting and glare problems??

I have the ghosting due to an astigmatism in my right eye. But it does get worse from time to time. Glare bothers my eyes to. I've always had sensitive eyes and wear sun glasses even on cloudy days.

[Gemini]

Petemoss, you have to understand, everything can not be blamed on celiac disease. There may be something going on with your eyes that has nothing to do with your celiac disease. Some people have terrible night vision, my night vision is getting worse. I am 52, it happens. Go to an optometrist and get an eye exam. Don't just assume celiac disease is to blame. Even if celiac disease as an autoimmune disease is part of the problem, you should still have your eyes checked out. Diabetes is an autoimmune disease too and diabetes must always get eye exams for the safety of their eyes.

Good post! One of the most common causes of changing eye problems is plain old aging! Not sure how old the original poster is but once you get past 40, it's mind blowing how bad your eyes can get in a very short period of time. A person has the most glass Rx changes between 40-50 years of age. Plus, the dryer eye sets in and can cause many of the problems listed here. Unless a person has serious eye problems as part of their family history, don't worry so much and accept that your eyes will never be the same as when you are younger. Plus, there are many things that can be done to improve symptoms.

[itchygirl]

Of course there is the well known connection between celiac and Sjogren's, which causes severe dry eye. There is a simple test (the Schirmer test) for the dry eye where they put little strips of blotter paper in your eye and see how long it takes them to get damp, lots of fun (NOT!)

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OBJECTIVE: Many autoimmune diseases occur concomitantly with celiac disease. We investigated prospectively the occurrence of celiac disease and small-bowel mucosal inflammation in patients with primary Sj

[JulesH]

Of course there is the well known connection between celiac and Sjogren's, which causes severe dry eye. There is a simple test (the Schirmer test) for the dry eye where they put little strips of blotter paper in your eye and see how long it takes them to get damp, lots of fun (NOT!)

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That's very interesting. Though whatever problem I had last year was not related to dry eyes, with all the testing them were doing, they found that my eyes were very dry as well. (This was despite the fact that my eyes are usually teary due to allergies.) This time around, the doctor said he couldn't see anything wrong with my eyes, so it could just be dry eyes, though I need to get to an optometrist to see if maybe I just need glasses. Though the little bit of testing the ophthalmologist did, I still have 20/20.

By the way, for those who asked, I'm 24, so it's not likely an age related problem. I'm mostly concerned because it's a repeat of a problem that they couldn't find a source for last year. But the doctor seems to think it's all in my head, so...

[itchygirl]

. But the doctor seems to think it's all in my head, so...

I hope to goodness your eyes are in your head

I had to go to a major teaching hospital before I found an eye doc who had a clue. Pacific College of Vision, actually. The guy I'd been seeing just told me I "needed to blink more"

Its amazing how many doctors I've had to sort through over the years to find a couple with some brains

[JulesH]

I hope to goodness your eyes are in your head

I had to go to a major teaching hospital before I found an eye doc who had a clue. Pacific College of Vision, actually. The guy I'd been seeing just told me I "needed to blink more"

Its amazing how many doctors I've had to sort through over the years to find a couple with some brains

Ha, yeah. He actually said it sounds like it could be something or other, but that's something that you can only see when it's actually happening. (The blurriness has faded since the first day of very severe blurriness.) But he basically told me that there's nothing he can do. Oh well. At least I was a very interesting anomaly to the first doctor. Too bad his office was so horrible.

[Lizzybat71]

As a dental hygienist of 42 years I can vouch for the number of times I have noticed dental infections and eye issues. Abscesses and gum disease with significant bone loss can have negative impact on other areas of the body. A genealogy buddy of mine was told he would be blind in 6 months. l suggested he get his problem teeth removed to try to save his sight. He laughed, then said, "How do you know I have tooth problems?" I replied that I didn't know, it was something a famous doctor once told me.

 

Long story short-he had 2 teeth removed (there was no bone around them  at all) and his retinapathy stopped running away with him. This was 2004 and he can still see, although not perfectly as the eye stuff had gone too far. At least he is not blind as predicted.

 

I have both celiac genes, so I have to watch the eyes well.

 

[Christine0125]

I just had optic neuritis in Feb/Mar which causes severe blurriness - this was my 2nd time (1st time was pre-celiac diagnosis).  At first the ophthalmologist indicated it was uveitis which can also cause blurriness but when it didn't improve with drops, diagnosed it as optic neuritis.  I'm not sure if it's my celiac or something else autoimmune going on with me.  I get the MRI and neurology follow up in the next couple weeks.  I had no signs of MS when tested in the past but they need to go through all the tests again to rule that out.  I wish there was a specific doctor that specialized in auto-immune conditions as a whole as I feel like if the MRI doesn't show MS, the neurologist will dismiss it as a fluke.  Would love to figure out what's causing my ongoing inflammation. 

[Helenco]

1. Read Celiac for Dummies by Doctors Blumer and Crowe, pp.149-150

Yes, celiac can affect your eyes.

2. Please see an Opthomologist!

 

[kareng]

9 hours ago, Helenco said:

1. Read Celiac for Dummies by Doctors Blumer and Crowe, pp.149-150

Yes, celiac can affect your eyes.

2. Please see an Opthomologist!

 

The OP has not  been on since 2008 - hopefully she has been to the eye doctor by now.  ?