GBS Glaucoma Link?

In Google Scholar, I got 51 hits using the following phrase:

Guillain-Barre Syndrome causes or contributes to Glaucoma (optic nerve damage)

Much success in your research.

Hi, Joe.

I’m a CIDPer from across the Pond. The past two years I’ve had all sorts of fun tests because of blurred spots–one at the bottom of my right eye which I can see and another at the top of that eye which was picked up by my optometrist during a visual fields test. My mother is diabetic and has normal glaucoma, so that was the first thing they thought of, but every test has proven negative–my pressure is normal, the optic nerve itself is intact (had it not been, the concern would have been MS or, like you, normal pressure glaucoma). The general concensus is that I have damage to some of the minor nerves of that eye owing to the CIDP.

Such fun!

Deb

Since I got older I have been in the habit of getting my eyes examined very regularly. A few months before I come down with GBS my eye doctor found that the entrance to the Optic Nerve had some inflamation. He sent me to my family doctor. After I had the peripheral vision and double vision problem with the onset of the GBS I asked to see a eye specialist. The field of sight was really compromised with the first few tests he did in the hospital. I would wash my face and my eye balls actually hurt when touched. My eyes were swollen and that pressure caused the eyes to buldge and my eye lids would not shut. I could not blink all the muscles were effected. My eyes did not scan together they worked separate from each other like a lizard. I am glad I did not realize how I looked. People would open their eyes very wide when they seen me. I did not make the connection to their reaction till later. I would be looking at something and my vision would go completely dark like smoke was going in front of my eyes. I would wait and it would slowly go away. Later I found that was caused by hemoraging with in the eye.

Now for the good news. A week after I got home the vision started to come into one image. I could watch tv for a longer period of time and also read a magazine article again. The peripheral vision started to get better month by month and also the field of vision. I was able to drive and my vision actually got better as I recovered than it was for years before the onset of GBS. I no longer have floaters and everything is clearer and the colors are vivid again.

I am glad I was told by a nurse to ask to see a Neuro-Ophthalmologist. From the very first visit he assured me that the damage from the GBS would heal and my eyesight would improve slowly. I still am going to him for regular exams and each time he sees steady improvement. I am able to see that for myself too! Last visit he said that I have gained back just about all my field of vision.

It is amazing what this illness had effected in my body. I had never really thought about what all the nerveous system effects.

Hope this helps! Hang in there and ask to see a Neuro-Ophthalmologist just not an Ophthalmologist. I seen mine in the hospital twice before I come home.

Thanks for bringing this up this subject.

My husband is an Optometrist and had never heard of this complication of GBS. I’m making copies of the article for him to give to his collegues (sp).