By Dr. Ryan W. Nelson
Iowa has been in the news recently as millions of eggs have been recalled nationwide due to an outbreak of salmonella gastrointestinal illnesses.
What does that have to do with eyes?
The answer: Reactive Arthritis or “Reiter’s Syndrome”.
Reiter’s Syndrome is an uncommon, but potentially debilitating consequence of salmonella infection. The 3 hallmark symptoms for Reiter’s Syndrome are “Can’t See… Can’t Pee… Can’t Dance with Me”.
Let me explain…
Reiter’s Syndrome is characterized by inflammation of the eye (“Can’t See”), the urethra (“Can’t Pee”), and the muscle tendons (“Can’t Dance with Me”). Inflammation of the eyes can cause pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, redness and general irritation. The treatment for inflammation of the eyes usually consists of prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops and close monitoring of symptoms.
Routine eye exams are expecially important for those who have recently had a gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or viral infection, as these may all lead to complications from Reiter’s Syndrome.
Iowa EyeCare has office locations in Marion, Robins, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Call us today at 319-377-2222 or contact us online by clicking here: Contact Iowa EyeCare.
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