[Eye and inflammatory bowel diseases]

Abstract

Aim: To point out the wide range of ocular features of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), focusing on uveitis.

Methods: A retrospective study.

Results: In the Centre for diagnosis and therapy of uveitis of our Ophthalmology Department, we have in years 2003-2010 followed in total 18 patients with intraocular inflammation associated with IBD: anterior uveitis (14), vasculitis (1), panuveitis (1), infectious uveitis as a secondary complication of systemic immunosuppressive therapy (2). The most often diagnosis was mild to moderate recurrent acute anterior uveitis. We have noticed more severe course of uveitis in patients with the HLA B27 positivity. Part of this paper consists of an overview of other ocular manifestations of IBD and current available therapeutical strategies.

Conclusion: Ocular manifestations of IBD can be a valuable signal of the activity of the primary disease. The knowledge of the ocular manifestations of these systemic diseases and of possible complications is required for successful interdisciplinary care of patients with IBD. While local treatment is fully in hands of an ophthalmologist, the form and extent of the systemic treatment is necessary to coordinate with gastroenterologists.