Crohn's Disease & Eye Problems

When you have Crohn's disease, inflammation doesn't always stay in your digestive tract. Nearly half of people with Crohn's also have inflammation in their eyes or other parts of the body.

Eye inflammation may appear before digestive symptoms. It's important to see an eye doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your vision, such as frequent redness, pain, or blurry vision.

Stay up-to-date with your regular eye exams. They can catch eye complications early and possibly spot other health problems before symptoms show up.

Eye problems in Crohn's disease can be triggered by immune responses, family history, and oral steroids and other medications.

You're more likely to develop eye problems with Crohn's if you are older, have arthritis or other health problems, have symptoms mainly in your colon, or have frequent flare-ups.

One common eye issue with Crohn's is episcleritis, an inflammation of the white part of the eye. It's not painful and usually doesn't need treatment but can make your eyes look red and irritated. Uveitis is another common eye problem. Depending on the type of uveitis, your doctor may treat it with steroid drops or pills, or drugs that suppress the immune system.

Dry eye is a common complaint. Your doctor may recommend artificial tears or an eye ointment, omega-3 supplements, medication, using a humidifier in your bedroom, or other strategies.