Link between H. Pylori infection and Dry Eye

[Ahmet]

Hi Guys,

I have had moderately dry eyes for almost 2 years. My symptoms started all of sudden and was diagnosed with MGD. I am currently on restasis for 7 months now it seems to help to a certain degree (around 30%).

However, for the last 3 months I have been having a lot of stomach problems burning, pain, gas, bloating etc. My doctor told me I had acid reflux disease and gave some acid blockers and send me home. Even though I was using the acid blockers, I continue to have the problems. I went back and had a blood test. It turns out I had H. pylori infection. Apparently,Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and many cases of stomach inflammation. As many as half of the world's population is infected with H. pylori.Interestingly, many people have this organism in their stomach, but don't get an ulcer or gastritis. It can be treated by antibiotics.

Upon further research, I was amazed to find out that there are many research papers linking H. pylori with Dry eye. Many dry eye sufferers had shown signs of improvement after two weeks of treatment.

Doed anybody know about this? See the following article links regarding H. Pylori and dry eye.

http://ibmi.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/acta-apa-07-2/9.pdf

http://www.tiftongazette.com/opinion...332214641.html

http://www.life-enhancement.com/arti...ate.asp?ID=691

http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v2...ye200934a.html


I got my lab results today. I will contact my doctor to start the treatment. I will keep you updated.

[cristiandryeyes]

Yes, my DE specialist suggested that I could possible have HP infection after taking a look at my lid margin and checking my Blepharitis/DE. So I did a breath test which turned out negative. I was very disappointed because HP infection could have explained everything, from my sudden MGD to my rosacea, I'm way too young to suffer from these diseases.

But now that you mention, I do have a lot of gas, I mean all the time...maybe breath test was wrong? Well the only way to find out is to try another test...maybe blood test, I'm gonna ask my dr.

[willwork4tears]

I've never heard of a direct link between H. Pylori and dry eye, although there very well could be one.

I do know that dry eye and acid reflux/chronic heartburn are both symptoms of Sjogrens disorder. Maybe have your doctor consider that as well.

Also, I've been tested for H. Pylori as well (blood test) and I vaguely remember my doctor saying the tests weren't all that accurate. Ask your doctor what the specificity and sensitivity of the breathe/blood tests are.

cristiandryeyes: it's always possible your breathe test was a false negative. If you're still having problems, it's probably a good idea to follow up. The symptoms could also be explained by irritable bowel disease, Celiac's disease (allery to gluten) or a whole host of other GI problems.

[Ahmet]

It seems like a lot of doctors still doesn't know much about H. Pylori. Initially there were a lot skepticism in the medical community towards this newly found bacteria; Following is from wikipedia "To demonstrate that H. pylori caused gastritis and was not merely a bystander, Marshall drank a beaker of H. pylori. He became ill several days later with nausea and vomiting. An endoscopy ten days after inoculation revealed signs of gastritis and the presence of H. pylori. These results suggested that H. pylori was the causative agent of gastritis.Warren and Marshall were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2005 for their work on H. pylori."


I would try to get a blood test and if it positive I think it wouldn't hurt to treat it.

[cristiandryeyes]

What confused me is the measurement scale used in the test results:
0 to 2 : no infection
2 to 3 : possible infection
3 or more : infection

I had 0.1, i was totally shocked...so i didnt even think in trying the blood test

When I read about gas and bloating in your first post, the idea came to me instatly

so...When exactly do you experience all these symptoms ? During the day or only after eating ? Thank you

[Ahmet]

my result was 5.4. I usually experience the symptoms after eating. Especially if I eat more than usual.

[advocate]

I've been aware of the link between H. Pylori and Blepharitis for some time.

When I first discovered the link, I asked my doctor to test me for H. Pylori infection, and the test was negative. Some time later, I persuaded a doctor/friend to prescribe me the antibiotic regimen used to eliminate H. Pylori, and used it despite the negative test. It did not help with my Blepharitis.

On the other hand, treating my condition as an allergic response has yielded significant benefits, as I've said in other threads.

Hi Guys,

I have had moderately dry eyes for almost 2 years. My symptoms started all of sudden and was diagnosed with MGD. I am currently on restasis for 7 months now it seems to help to a certain degree (around 30%).

However, for the last 3 months I have been having a lot of stomach problems burning, pain, gas, bloating etc. My doctor told me I had acid reflux disease and gave some acid blockers and send me home. Even though I was using the acid blockers, I continue to have the problems. I went back and had a blood test. It turns out I had H. pylori infection. Apparently,Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and many cases of stomach inflammation. As many as half of the world's population is infected with H. pylori.Interestingly, many people have this organism in their stomach, but don't get an ulcer or gastritis. It can be treated by antibiotics.

Upon further research, I was amazed to find out that there are many research papers linking H. pylori with Dry eye. Many dry eye sufferers had shown signs of improvement after two weeks of treatment.

Doed anybody know about this? See the following article links regarding H. Pylori and dry eye.

http://ibmi.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/acta-apa-07-2/9.pdf

http://www.tiftongazette.com/opinion...332214641.html

http://www.life-enhancement.com/arti...ate.asp?ID=691

http://www.nature.com/eye/journal/v2...ye200934a.html


I got my lab results today. I will contact my doctor to start the treatment. I will keep you updated.

[advocate]

You guys should also note that certain food allergies (or celiac disease - which is an intolerance to wheat) can cause all manner of allergic responses, including bloating, gas, and more traditional allergy symptoms such as nasal congestion and eye irritation as well.

What confused me is the measurement scale used in the test results:
0 to 2 : no infection
2 to 3 : possible infection
3 or more : infection

I had 0.1, i was totally shocked...so i didnt even think in trying the blood test

When I read about gas and bloating in your first post, the idea came to me instatly

so...When exactly do you experience all these symptoms ? During the day or only after eating ? Thank you

[Guest]

This is so weird... I believe I’m going through this right now! I’ve been having a lot of gas, feeling full all the time, slight cramps, chest pain/pressure and the latest symptom is dry eye with eye pressure. I’m going to the doctors this Thursday to see if I have h pylori with a stools test I did a month ago. I’m really hoping I can find out what is wrong because I am feeling miserable and I see myself as a healthy 28 year old man.

At times I feel like giving up, but my family and belief in god has kept me going. I had to take a break from work for the summer and planning finishing up my bachelors soon and really want to go back to work. I can’t let this stop me even though it is kicking my a$$. I am glad that I am not the only one going through this, but I need to be properly diagnosed. My doctor is going to refer me to a Gi doctor after for an endoscopy to see what is wrong. I feel for everyone and wish me luck! Prayers to all who is going through this and keep the faith!