Eye Burning Related to Food Sensitivities

Posted by DebE13 @debe13, Nov 27, 2011

I have collagenous colits and a list of other problems that my GI doctor seems reluctant to address. I have horrible burning in my eyes with a puffy feeling around my eye area (no actual inflamation) and stomach aches/pains, fatigue, headache, and facial flushing/redness to name a few. He told me to see an eye doctor and referred me to a rheumatologist. My eyes are good and was told I have dry eye and to use drops. I got literature on fibermyalgia but I''m not interested in more drugs. The rheumatologist also told me to take sleeping pills, exercise, and use eye drops and that I shoudl see a GI doc for the stomach problems. I am incredibily frustrated because I feel sick every time I eat and the eye pain/burning never goes away. I've been tested for celiac disease several times and it always comes back negative. I am not lactose intolerant. I tried an elimination diet religiously for 4 months and removed all processed foods, wheat, dairy, and yeast. I didn't notice a signficant change in how I felt. At that time, I didn't have the eye issues. I've read that the eye problems can be related to food or could also related to liver problems. My blood test show my liver is good. Any ideas would be appreciated because I seem to be on my own. I keep complaining of ill health but all my tests keep coming back good. I am afraid to eat and I want my life back.

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@mommo9

For a couple years. I used to just think I was not feeling well in general, but as I have been putting puzzle pieces together for other health issues (erratic BP and pulse) with several doctors, I have discovered the burning eyes (Burning like when you have a fever), face flushing and headache only comes directly after eating. My eyes are completely fine all other times. A recent diagnosis of EOE had me really tracking food related symptoms.

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I had similar symptoms. Much less now. Have you considered looking into whether you have silent reflux? Or lowering acid in your diet as a test (so Tata citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, vinegars, raw onion and garlic).

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@reallymg

I had similar symptoms. Much less now. Have you considered looking into whether you have silent reflux? Or lowering acid in your diet as a test (so Tata citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, vinegars, raw onion and garlic).

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Hi @reallymg, welcome. Interesting that you had similar symptoms of burning sensation in your eyes. Do you feel that tending to the silent reflux and lowering acid in your diet contributed to relieving the eye burning?

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Hey debe I have the same problem I have messaged you privately please check your inbox I'm really hoping for a response from you

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@mommo9

For a couple years. I used to just think I was not feeling well in general, but as I have been putting puzzle pieces together for other health issues (erratic BP and pulse) with several doctors, I have discovered the burning eyes (Burning like when you have a fever), face flushing and headache only comes directly after eating. My eyes are completely fine all other times. A recent diagnosis of EOE had me really tracking food related symptoms.

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Did you now find any answers ? I'm very desperate for an answer please someone help me. My eye burn is accompanied by significant hair loss and dry face skin and I'm sure they are connected but i don't know who to talk with or where to go now. I've been to eye specialists and all of them said my eyes are perfectly normal and hair loss could be hereditary. Is there no cure to this ? Ohh god

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@itssalman

Did you now find any answers ? I'm very desperate for an answer please someone help me. My eye burn is accompanied by significant hair loss and dry face skin and I'm sure they are connected but i don't know who to talk with or where to go now. I've been to eye specialists and all of them said my eyes are perfectly normal and hair loss could be hereditary. Is there no cure to this ? Ohh god

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@itssalman your eye condition sounds extremely uncomfortable, to put it mildly. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We’re a group of patients or patients’ families or caregivers. We’re not doctors so we cant diagnose or prescribe medication. We try to help people with information and resources that we have learned about through our own difficult health journeys.
What does your doctor say about your eye problem? Did he suggest that you see a rheumatologist? They are more educated in autoimmune diseases, which it sounds like you may have. If it’s possible, you might try calling a large medical center near you or a university medical center and ask for help. When my disease first started, it all seemed to be gastrointestinal, but soon I couldn’t walk, spoke in a strange voice, and just wanted to sleep. An MRI eventually showed lesions on my brain, but i had to go to a university hospital for help. It’s a very unusual autoimmune disease that very few doctors know about.
Do you think you could call a medical center or university hospital? Let me know what you learn

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@itssalman

Did you now find any answers ? I'm very desperate for an answer please someone help me. My eye burn is accompanied by significant hair loss and dry face skin and I'm sure they are connected but i don't know who to talk with or where to go now. I've been to eye specialists and all of them said my eyes are perfectly normal and hair loss could be hereditary. Is there no cure to this ? Ohh god

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Sounds like thyroid to me!

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Just noticed these comments and although I dont have answer/s I have had eye issues for many years, culminating in narrow angle glaucoma, but also had bowel issues, thyroid (hypothyroidism); off work due to red sore eyes at work, turned out many years later to be no filter on xerox machine outside my office and i suffered so much with burning eyes for years!

Also some plants indoors and outside... have photo of a wild plant in garden that has latex in stem and got some painful blistering skin when rubbed eye and can post - its a wonder I didnt lose vision; eyes so dry could not open them through night; optometrist and dentist wanted me checked for (spelling?) Sjojerns but my family dr refused saying: you dont have it!

Shopping in dept. stores and so many chemicals and such , eyes burned and were red, but lasted after left store.... and am sure have missed some things/places that burned my eyes but not to my knowledge or recollection food of any kind.

Just thought would mention its horrible , like having soap in eyes yet, as you say, optometrist found no cause. Someone mentioned detergent and recently I hadn't realized I had bought extra concentrated laundry soap, washed and changed sheets put back on bed, and all night eyes red and sore again, and realized linens not rinsed properly from too much detergent, so just rewashed them with NO detergent just plain water.. what stuffing is in your pillows . ... its is very hard on the nerves too trying to find out what causes this: do you wear glasses and use a spray to clean them? Using any cleaning products in your home that are eye irritants? Maybe read side effects of ANY medications you are using, even medicated creams, shampoos to see if affect eyes.. I was amazed at how many affect some people's eyes!! I gave up on reading books from library as I think may be sprayed or wiped with disinfectant... it makes one suspicious of just about everything!

I now use dry eye drops with no preservative and drops for glaucoma which have other side effects unfortunately, and although my eyes are much better than they had been for years, still feel sore once in a while.... wish I could tell you a cure or solution and you are not only ones going through this and hopefully - keep searching and as someone suggested keep diary and maybe will find cause... wishing you the best. Hope my experience might shed some light on a cause and you will get some relief sooner rather than later.

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@becsbuddy

@itssalman your eye condition sounds extremely uncomfortable, to put it mildly. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We’re a group of patients or patients’ families or caregivers. We’re not doctors so we cant diagnose or prescribe medication. We try to help people with information and resources that we have learned about through our own difficult health journeys.
What does your doctor say about your eye problem? Did he suggest that you see a rheumatologist? They are more educated in autoimmune diseases, which it sounds like you may have. If it’s possible, you might try calling a large medical center near you or a university medical center and ask for help. When my disease first started, it all seemed to be gastrointestinal, but soon I couldn’t walk, spoke in a strange voice, and just wanted to sleep. An MRI eventually showed lesions on my brain, but i had to go to a university hospital for help. It’s a very unusual autoimmune disease that very few doctors know about.
Do you think you could call a medical center or university hospital? Let me know what you learn

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Yes my latest doctor was a professor. She said I have Ocular dysaesthesia (Element of allergic conjunctivitis) and she now referred me to immunologist who's appointment I have next month. And yes as saucy said I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism last year and I took some prescription tablets at that time. My sister, a doctor herself, said hypothyroidism is nothing to worry about, besides it's definitely some allergy that you are suffering from and she keeps telling me to come back overseas. I'm settled in Australia bdw

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I have been through a similar situation however my eyes swelled and had facial flushing. I always felt as though I had celiac disease or some type of intestinal disorder. Abdominal pain difficulty swallowing. Finally, saw a homeopathic doctor and traditional immunologist to relieve my acute issues are due to a histamine intolerance issue. Ever since I have been taking a DAO supplement, my eye pain and swelling, facial flushing and G.I. issues which were greatly interrupting my daily life… Have 70% diminished. It was also suggested I have bloodwork to follow up for high Chromogranin a levels which were extremely high. Doctor suggested a pet scan to rule out NET. Thankfully so far no positive results or signs of NET. So, my doctors are having me follow the low histamine diet plan and will be tested for SIBO through hydrogen methane breath test next week. Wishing you the very best. Please don’t give up. It has taken me 7 to 8 months to get to this point. Best to you.

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@mommo9

I was wondering if you ever found an answer? I came upon your post while searching the internet and it sounds just like me! My eyes burn horribly after eating and my face flushes, some times a slight headache. I don’t have other symptoms and it happens with everything I eat.

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Hi Mommo,
This is Arjun,
I also have same kind of issue, please help me if you can get solution, please reach out.
please help me and save my life.

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