The ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to present the literature on the ocular complications of inflammatory bowel disease, their pathogenesis, manifestation and treatment options. In particular, the literature pertaining to recently available treatments will be reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS: Although the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease remains incompletely understood, treatment options for ocular and systemic disease have expanded with the introduction of newer steroid-sparing agents such as mycophenolate mofetil and a new class of immunomodulatory agents targeting cytokines, in particular infliximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against tumour necrosis factor-alpha.

SUMMARY: That inflammatory bowel disease can have ocular manifestations has been known for over 80 years. Knowing of their occurrence and treatment options enables the treating clinician to recognize their cause and treat them appropriately.