EPISCLERITIS

Q. 45-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis of 3 years’ duration presents with a red eye. She has no pain or headache, and her vision is normal. She has been taking mesalamine at her usual dose.She recently quit smoking. What is the most likely cause of her red eye?
a. Uveitis
b. Giant cell arteritis
c. Episcleritis
d. Nicotine withdrawal and insomnia
e. Viral conjunctivitis

Answer c.

A patient with inflammatory bowel disease who has a red eye most likely has either episcleritis or uveitis. Uveitis is associated with pain in the eye. Episcleritis is typically painless.

Giant cell arteritis typically does not manifest with red eye and is usually associated with headache or visual loss.