Gut Infections + Eye Symptoms

[GtrGrl]

Sharing this in case anyone comes on here with eye/visual symptoms and finds it useful info.

Around the time of my first relapse, I kept getting conjunctivitis. I thought it must be due to some kind of bacteria on my makeup brushes so I replaced them but still it came back. I was baffled. Not anymore: I have now discovered that gut (and urogenital) infections can cause reactive arthritis, the inflammation from which can affect the eyes — and trigger conjunctivitis. Not a single medic put two and two together despite this being a well-established link, and I wish I had known about it at the time as it was another sure sign - evidence, one might say - that all was not well with my gut.
Always learning!

[BetsyS]

Thanks GrtGrl- I've recently learned the same. I have episodes of inflammatory arthritis in conjunction with CDiff and flare ups. My ID told me I probably have reactive arthritis, which is why I'm now seeing a Rheumatologist. She said besides conjunctivitis, another eye infection associated is Iritis, inflammation of the iris. Lol, I was just getting over a bout of it at my first appt with her.

[GtrGrl]

Hi Betsy, I have had burning in my eyes for many years now, started well before the C Diff, after EBV infection. No one can see anything wrong but I swear there’s inflammation at the cellular level. I have to just close them sometimes because they hurt so much and I can’t read at night anymore. I read about it and EBV can cause these kinds of issues too. Your rheumatologist sounds knowledgeable, I’d like to talk to someone like that. I hope you’re pain free at the mo!