Possible eye conditions associated with Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease mostly affects the digestive system, but it can also affect other body regions, including the eyes. Because eye tissue resembles other tissues throughout the body, inflammatory illnesses can have a similar impact on it.

One of the two main kinds of inflammatory bowel illness is Crohn’s disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is the alternative. IBD is a catch-all name for diseases caused by persistent digestive tract inflammation.

Crohn’s disease is frequently characterized by cramps, diarrhea, and bloody stools. But signs of Crohn’s disease can also appear outside the digestive system. These include issues with the skin, the joints, and the eyes.

About 10% of Crohn’s disease sufferers experience symptoms or illnesses connected to their eyes. Due to the sensitivity of the tissues in the eye, symptoms may manifest before individuals detect them in the stomach in this area of the body.

In this article, we talk about the potential causes and effects of Crohn’s disease-related ocular issues. We also cover treatment options and prevention strategies for various illnesses.

People with Crohn’s disease may experience a variety of ocular issues. The following are some of these circumstances:

Episcleritis

For people with Crohn’s disease, episcleritis is a prevalent condition that affects the eyes. Episcleritis is an inflammation of the episclera, the tissue that lies between the sclera, the white portion of the eye, and its outermost layer.

These signs include:

  • tenderness to touch
  • watery eyes
  • redness
  • bright red spots on the sclera
  • mild pain
Episcleritis does not result in light sensitivity or blurred vision, in contrast to several other eye-related symptoms that persons with Crohn’s disease may have. In comparison to other eye-related disorders, it is also less unpleasant.

Scleritis

Scleritis is the inflammation of the sclera.

Symptoms include:

  • redness of the eye
  • watery eyes
  • pain in or around the eye
  • burning
  • blurry vision
  • headaches
  • difficulty sleeping
  • sensitivity to light
In severe situations, inflammation can cause the sclera, which also gives the eye its form, to thin out.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, a tissue layer directly below the sclera that contains the iris. Scleritis occurs more frequently in Crohn’s patients than uveitis.

This disorder is more serious than episcleritis because, if untreated, it can cause glaucoma or even eyesight loss.

These signs include:

  • sensitivity to light
  • blurred vision
  • pain
  • redness
These symptoms may occur suddenly or develop slowly over time.

Keratopathy

The cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye, is affected by the disorder known as keratopathy. Often, it causes swelling that resembles a blister.

Additional signs include:

  • sensitivity to light
  • excess of tears or discharge
  • irritation
  • the feeling that an object has become stuck in the eye


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