Central retinal vein occlusion after infliximab therapy in a young patient with ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition, characterized by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. While the primary focus of IBD management consists in controlling gastrointestinal symptoms, IBD also presents an increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, namely infliximab, have become increasingly common in the management of multiple chronic inflammatory diseases such as IBD. However, recent studies have shown an association between treatment with infliximab and an increased thrombotic risk. We report an unusual case of retinal vein thrombosis in a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) that occurred during infliximab infusion. This case highlights the need to remain vigilant when administering infliximab to individuals with IBD, particularly those with additional risk factors for thrombosis.