EYE COMPLICATIONS

Published: September 6, 2019

Dear @Name@,

Your healthcare team has discussed the following subject with you: eye complications. Here is some additional information. Let us know if you have any questions regarding this information.

Approximately 10% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience eye problems. However, most of these are treatable and do not pose any significant threat to loss of vision. Therefore, a regular examination by an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in diseases of the eye) is very important. Also, it is not only the IBD itself that may cause eye disorders; sometimes the medications used to treat the disease can affect the eyes. For example, long-term use of corticosteroids may lead to glaucoma and cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye that impairs vision).

If you notice any type of eye irritation or inflammation, bring it to your healthcare team's attention immediately.

For further information, please check out https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/extraintestinal-complications-ibd or follow this link:

PDF /sites/default/files/2020-03/eyes.pdf