Ophthalmological manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease under the watchful eye of a gastroenterologist from a tertiary centre

Introduction
Ophthalmological manifestations (O-EIM) are one of the extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although their frequency and potential relationship with disease activity and treatment remain underestimated.

Aim
The aim of this screening questionnaire was to assess the number of EIM, including O-EIM, among patients with IBD.

Material and methods
436 patients with IBD and 102 patients without IBD were included in this single-centre retrospective study. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the frequency of EIM, including confirmed O-EIM and ophthalmological symptoms which had not been confirmed by an ophthalmologist.

Results
EIM were present in 48.6% of cases; O-EIM were declared by 8.9% (uveitis 3.9% + episcleritis 4.8% + scleritis 0.2%) of the IBD patients. About half (50.7%) of them reported ophthalmological symptoms in the last 3 months, but only 30.5% reported consulting with an ophthalmologist. The multivariable logistic regression indicated some coexisting EIM (anaemia and axial/non-axial spondyloarthropathy), the use of certain medications (steroids, thiopurines, and methotrexate), smoking, family history of glaucoma, and spending more time in front of a computer screen as being linked with ophthalmological involvement among IBD patients.

Conclusions
EIM, including O-EIM, are a common problem in patients with IBD. The presence of ophthalmological symptoms and the lack of follow-up with an ophthalmologist make it difficult to correctly estimate the true number of IBD patients experiencing O-EIM. Therefore, patients with IBD should be routinely referred for ophthalmological evaluation.