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Ophthamologist Appt?

Mehita

Mehita

Can someone run me through what happens at an opth appointment? DS is going for the first time next week and is already getting anxious. I've never been so I don't know what to tell him.

Also, if he's inflamed on the inside but not experiencing symptoms, can the ophthalmologist tell that?

Thanks
 
Mables3

Mables3

Mehita, Is he having eye issues?

I'm not sure I can answer your question, but I will try. I get Iritis(inflammation in my eyes). I usually can feel it. Your eye/eyes hurt and are sensitive to light, although the first time I got it, I did not know it. I had a small blurry spot in my right eye.

Most people with Crohns do not get eye inflammation(I'm in the lucky small percentage). Sometimes eyes hurt due to steroids, meds, allergies etc. They will probably check his vision, eye pressure and may dilate his eyes(bring his sunglasses). If he has inflammation internally, I don't believe they would see it unless he had some form of Uveitis. Long term steroid use can cause some issues.

I wouldn't worry about it. Only a small percentage of us get Uveitis and we usually know it. It's good that your going to an Ophthalmologist. They are trained to look for specific eye diseases. I hope this helps. Check out the eye support group. You'll see alot of people with eye issue not related to inflammation. Hope this helps.
 
my little penguin

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
For DS - he sees a pediatric opthamologist-
first vision check-
3d glasses to read a book - pick up objects
then normal vision exam with the Big E
drops to dilate - sometimes two sets
A microscope of sorts to view the back of the eye
child rests chin on it and looks past docs ear.
( some use a miner's like light they wear on their head with a magnifying glass)

If there has been alot of pred use even oral - a glaucoma pressure test
either hand held or with the microscope thing

They are able to tell inflammation even if your child does not feel it.
http://video.about.com/vision/Typical-Eye-Exam.htm
good luck
 
Catherine

Catherine

Moderator
My youngest daughter has the eye drops and they cause for her light sensitivity. She can't read a book or a whiteboard for a number if hours afterwards.

If she has go back to school on day of test we ask she take not part in any activities where she may get hit by something. Eg to ball sports.

Now that she is high school I would not send her back to school as she is not safe across a road, as she can't judge distances.

I know her reaction to the drops is on the extreme end. Her eyes are also blue which makes the side effects more likely.
 
Mehita

Mehita

Thanks for the links and info. It sounds like it will be just like a optometrist app then? just more detail?

He isn't having any eye trouble, this is just a routine visit suggested by his GI since he's never been seen before and has been on pred in the past. His vision has changed slightly but I think that's more attributable to reading in the dark all the time. Drives me nuts!

I was curious about the inflammation because I thought I read somewhere that the eyes can give insight into what else is going on in the body (i.e. inflammation), not just the eyes. Has anyone else heard that?
 
Dexky

Dexky

To save time...Ask Dusty!
Location
Kentucky
There is a "pseudo-science" iridology that some claim to be able to dx everything from cancer to in-grown toenails! I don't think your ophthamologist will make any such claims though:)
 
DustyKat

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Hey Mehita,

I don't know that the eyes would show something that isn't directly related to them. For IBD inflammation in the bowel causes inflammation of the eye or high blood pressure may increase the intra-ocular pressure.

So an Opthamologist can detect other diseases via the eyes but the eyes are also affected in some way.

Dusty. xxx
 
Mehita

Mehita

Just got back from DS's first opth appt. No inflammation, no Crohn's related issues. Yeah!

Unfortunately, we discovered that he needs glasses. As he was misreading the charts I started thinking, "Uh oh...". When he asked if they were trying to trick him by using the greek alphabet, I knew we were in trouble. I asked him if he's able to see the boards at school and he admitted that he hasn't for the last year. Argh!
 
Jmrogers4

Jmrogers4

That would be my son. I really need to get him into optho. Going to write myself a note to call tomorrow and do that this summer while we are off.
 
C

crohnsinct

Well-known member
Not just boys! My girls are equally as bad at admitting they need a check up and they have all been wearing glasses since they were 8! Kids! Oh wait...seem to remember a mom in our house also waiting way too long for her check up. People!

Glad there were no CD issues Mehita!
 
Tesscorm

Tesscorm

Moderator
Staff member
Glad all went well!! Laughed about the one year with the blurry boards! :lol:


We usually see an optometrist - do you think Stephen should see an opthamologist or is an optometrist okay?? And, if an opthamologist is best, do you know if you need a referral to see one? :)
 
my little penguin

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
ophthalmologist is best for kids with crohn's since they are medical doctors specializing in eye diseases.
IF you need a referral to see a specialist then you would probably need one for this type of specialist as well.

optometrist is not a medical doctor.
Ophthalmologist: Total Eye Care

Ophthalmologists are physicians. They went to medical school. After school, they had a one-year internship and a residency of three or more years.

Ophthalmologists offer complete eye care services. These include:

Vision services, including eye exams
Medical eye care -- for conditions such as glaucoma, iritis, and chemical burns
Surgical eye care -- for trauma, crossed eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, and other problems
Diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions related to other diseases, such as diabetes or arthritis
Plastic surgery -- for drooping eyelids and smoothing wrinkles
Optometrist (OD): Vision Care and Eye Care Services

Optometrists are medical professionals but not physicians. After college, they spent four years in a program and got a degree in optometry. Some optometrists undergo additional clinical training after optometry school. They focus on regular vision care and prescribe eyeglasses and contacts. Services include:

Vision services such as eye exams
Treatment of conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
Prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses
Provide low vision aids and vision therapy
Diagnose eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and conjunctivitis
Prescribe medications for certain eye conditions (in some states)
Click to expand...
from:
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-doctors-optometrists-ophthalmologists
 
Johnnysmom

Johnnysmom

Just FYI,

We went to the ophthalmologist based on a recommendation from our GI when Johnny was first diagnosed. He said that because Johnny was on Prednisone at the time it would was a wasted appointment because it was likely that the Pred was suppressing any inflammation present. He recommended when come back about 6 months after we stopped the Prednisone or if he had any eye issues.

Glad you got the glasses! Seeing the board in school is probably a good thing! Ahh, boys!
 
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