Extraintestinal manifestations of the eye in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

Extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis were observed in almost half of the patients. They should be distinguished from secondary illnesses and complications. The most commonly affected organs are joints, skin, eyes, liver, gallbladder, urogenital and hematopoietic system. Eye manifestations are, although rare, an important form of morbidity, with possible blindness. The prevalence is higher in women and if the bowel disease is diagnosed at younger age, but lower than in children. Considering the great impact on the life quality, sometimes higher than gastrointestinal symptoms are, the goal is to show the importance of recognition and clinical and diagnostic approach to some ophthalmic entities. Symptomology of the most common changes, iritis, episcleritis and scleritis is nonspecific, and therefore the clinical evaluation is potentially underestimated both from the patient’s and from the doctor’s point of view. Ophthalmologic examination should be more frequent and an integral part of care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. It is necessary to be well aware of the possible symptoms on the eye diseases, because they can precede inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment and adequate control of basic systemic disease contribute to the control of eye disease.