Iritis, an inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye also known as anterior uveitis, can occur as part of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease as well as a number of autoimmune disorders. As many as 5 percent of people with ulcerative colitis develop recurrent iritis, ophthalmologist C. Stephen Foster, M.D. explains on uveitis.org. Probiotics may have some value in treating chronic gastrointestinal disease, which may decrease the risk of developing iritis as well. Study results have been mixed, however.
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Probiotics are "good" bacteria, which normally populate the gut and attack and destroy "bad" bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. Most probiotics belong to one of two classes of bacteria, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Foods such as yogurt or fermented foods such as miso may contain probiotic, which are also sold in capsule or powder form. Taking probiotics builds up the good bacteria which might be destroyed in gastrointestinal illnesses. This crowds out the bad bacteria that damage the intestine and changes the balance of bacteria, which could improve the disorders often associated with iritis.
Effects
The digestive tract contains cells connected to the immune system. Changing the balance of microorganisms in the intestines may affect the way the immune system functions. Since so many autoimmune disorders can cause iritis, a change the way the immune system functions could decrease the risk of iritis.
Studies
A Mayo Clinic review reported on the uses of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome in the March 2006 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology." The reviews concluded that probiotics may benefit IBS. However, a July 2008 British Cochrane review of studies concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend probiotics to treat Crohn's disease. More well-designed studies are needed, researchers concluded.
Considerations
Iritis has many causes and occurs as part of a number of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Bowel symptoms and eye symptoms may not appear at the same time, according to Dr. Foster, so having an iritis flare-up at a time when your bowel symptoms are not flaring doesn't mean the two are not related. Take probiotics to prevent iritis only with your doctor's approval and if you have medical disorders which respond to probiotics. All probiotics are not the same; ask your doctor which form of probiotic you should take.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Probiotics; August 2008
- Uveitis.org; Association of Ocular Inflammatory Disease with Inflammatory Bowel Disease C. Stephen Foster, M.D.
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Probiotics and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Rationale, Putative Mechanisms, and Evidence of Clinical Efficacy; M. Camilleri ; March 2006
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Probiotics for Induction of Remission in Crohn's Disease; A. Butterworth, et al.; July 2008
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