Hello, I am 22, female, and I also have Celiac Disease (for about 5 years now). I have two previous eye episodes (red eyes, swollen, discharge, discomfort, pain) but both were treated and shrugged off as allergic reactions or stress. Both clear up and both were roughly a year apart. Now, the 3rd time, I noticed red eyes, pain, pressure, watery runny discharge.. and slight vision problems (mostly because of all of the teary discharge). Worried for a similar bout of what happened the first and second time, I immediately went to the doctor where we started antibiotics while she waited for a phone consult with the hospital's emerg eye clinic. She told me she suspected iritis and a few other things. Once the hospital called back, she called me back in for a few more tests and prescribed me steroid drops (prednisolone). So the next day I had a rush appt at the hospital's eye clinic where the opthamologist confirmed iritis. WE threw away the antibiotics (as it is not an infection) and so I was on prednisolone every hour and dilating drops in the left eye only for he feared of sticking. Two days later at a follow-up appt, he took me off the dilating drops, and continued the steroid. HE said I was slowly improving but wasn't where he wanted me to be. So, after 5 days my pupil is STILL dilated, which is apparently normal? I have light blue eyes and this can also contribute to the pupil taking longer to undilate. As it undilates my vision is coming back, and I do notice improvements constantly in my sight but my pupil is still so large.. Is this ok? Is this normal? five days seems like forever. In my followup appt yesterday, the doctor said I am still improving, but slowly. My left eye is still 3+ and right eye 2+ for inflammatory cell count. This worries me as this is day 6 of steroid treatment. Again, is this normal?
On Friday I go back for another check and they are going to redilate both pupils to check for all/any damage. What exactly does this mean? What does it entail?
As well, he said the first priority of my treatment was to target and treat the inflammation. Since we are on the right track for this (although slow) he now wants to do full blood tests to check for any underlying or additional issues or disorders. I am so scared.. which I think is ok. But I am scared, nervous, and although I truely would rather know than NOT know, I fear the unknown and what is to come.
There is a chance that me being celiac is enough of an autoimmune link and that there is nothing else wrong. I am honestly quite a healthy person. I work out regularly, eat quite well, I do not smoke.. I have a family history of arthritis and eye problems and arthritis and fibermyalgia.. but I myself have had no major surgeries or illnesses or anything.. I have just finished my university degree in rehabilitation medicine, and my convocation is in 3 weeks! I hope I am better.
In your opinion, my worries are natural, but is it normal for them to need to do full blood work and exam? Is this precautionary or only because he suspects something is really wrong? Are most patients tested for everything and anything? If I truly feel healthy, and have no other signs or symptoms of anything.. how likely is it that I have something underlying? I have celiac disease (and I am very strict on my gluten-free diet) and I am anemic.
Thank you for your input and I thank everyone involved in these online forums as they are really helpful, calming, and informative.
