Your Eyes & Ulcerative Colitis

Have you experienced sight problems since being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC)? If you have, most of these problems are most likely not related to UC. However, a small percentage may experience separate symptoms in a variety of body systems, including the eyes, skin, and joints. About 1%-10% of people with UC develop eye problems due to their condition. Learn more about this below.

Uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye wall) and occurs in 0.5%-3% of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).^7,8 Symptoms may include sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and eye pain.⁷ Headaches are also associated with this condition.⁸ If uveitis goes untreated, it may lead to other complications that may damage the optic nerve and possibly result in blindness.

Episcleritis

An inflammation of the outer coating of the white of the eye, this occurs in 2%-5% of people with IBD.^7,8 You may feel burning and have eye redness, but usually vision is not affected.⁷

Treatment

In general, inflammatory eye complications may be related to disease activity. It's important to let your eye care specialist (ophthalmologist) know that you have UC, so that they can be aware of possible problems. Also, let your doctor know if these symptoms occur. He or she may treat the conditions with steroid eye drops, oral steroids, or other medications.⁷

If you experience any of the symptoms described in this article, consult an ophthalmologist immediately. By catching any problems early, you may minimize symptoms and help prevent complications.