HomeAnswersOphthalmology (Eye Care)episcleritisI have recurrent episcleritis, blurry vision, and brain Fog with a family history of autoimmune diseases. What could be the cause?

What could be the causes of recurrent episcleritis and blurry vision?

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Published At July 23, 2023
Reviewed AtSeptember 20, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old white female with a past medical history of nodular episcleritis in my right eye around 15 years ago. Two months ago, I was diagnosed with episcleritis in the same eye and treated with Fluorometholone drops for three days. I experienced symptoms such as redness, mild irritation, and mild photophobia at that time. Due to the irritation, I have been unable to wear contact lenses for the past two months. Over the past week, I have noticed an increase in eye irritation, a feeling of tiredness in my right eye, and occasional blurry vision. The redness never completely disappeared, and the blurry vision is starting to worry me. I have not used the steroid drops again due to concerns about the risk of glaucoma, as there is a family history of it. I am generally healthy, maintaining a height of 5'8" and weight of 135 pounds, exercising three days a week, and have no known medical issues except for taking the tablet Tri-Sprintec as contraception. I work in a hospital and have contact with sick patients, but I have any recent illnesses or eye trauma. My family history includes hypertension, vitiligo, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, pernicious anemia (mother), and glaucoma (paternal grandfather). I plan to see a physician as soon as my insurance is reinstated, but I am particularly concerned because my blurry vision has worsened this week. Additionally, two days ago, I experienced a six-hour episode of brain fog characterized by slowed thinking, speech, and movements, and difficulty finding the correct words. Considering my strong family history of autoimmune diseases and previous experiences with blurred vision, I fear that there may be an underlying autoimmune process at play. Kindly help. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhev Mittal

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Nodular episcleritis can indeed be treated with Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and eye drops like Ketorolac. If necessary, oral NSAIDs like Indomethacin can be prescribed. Blurry vision can have multiple causes, and an increase in eye pressure due to Fluorometholone use could be one of them. In this case, it is recommended to consult a local ophthalmologist for further evaluation and appropriate management. The brain fog phenomenon you described is not directly related to your eye condition. It would be advisable to discuss this symptom with your primary care physician or a relevant healthcare professional who can assess and provide appropriate guidance. If you experience recurrent episodes of episcleritis, it may be helpful to undergo an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test to evaluate for any underlying autoimmune conditions. I hope this answer helped you, Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vaibhev Mittal
Dr. Vaibhev Mittal

Ophthalmology (Eye Care)

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