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Background: Ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) considered being the most common extraintestinal complication. Eventually, early detection and management improve the patient's quality of life as well as prevent potentially visually threatening complications. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and pattern of ocular manifestations among patients with inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed using anonymous online surveys were administered which included the participant's demographics, prevalence and pattern of IBD intestinal and ocular manifestations, precipitating factors, and quality of life. Data were analyzed using (SPSS) version 20 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Chi-squared test Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. Results: A total of 216 participants responded to the survey with 50.50% of females and 49.50% were male. About 90.3% of the participants had their GIT symptoms start before their eye symptoms. Almost two-thirds of the participants, (68.5%) suffered from frequent severe bowel symptoms that prevented them from carrying out work and/or perform the normal daily activity. Furthermore, one-third of the participants (31.6%) are unemployed and described a positive family history (32.8%). More than 75% of participants described eye symptoms associated with the intestinal disease activity which range from mild self-limiting to more severe ones that required hospital visits (50%). Although, majority of participants (90.00%) did not routinely receive official referral to ophthalmologist. The non-significant difference was found between the presence of eye symptoms and participant's gender, marital status, educational level, stress, and smoking habits. Conclusion: Most of the IBD patients suffered from significant ocular manifestations with frequent hospital visits. Misdiagnosis and/or inadequate management negatively affect the quality of life of IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk-based Ophthalmic screening strategy may reduce the impact of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study assesses the knowledge and attitudes of dermatologists in Saudi Arabia with regard to dry eye disease, refractive surgery, and contact lenses when prescribing isotretinoin. Methods: A total of 150 dermatologists from major cities in Saudi Arabia were included in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a consent interview questionnaire. Results: Of the 150 dermatologists who participated, 77 (51.3%) were men. Seventy-three (48.3%) dermatologists always prescribed isotretinoin to patients and 71 (47.3%) sometimes prescribed it. One hundred forty-six (97.3%) dermatologists self-reported their awareness of the ocular side effects of the drug. One hundred twenty (80.0%) responded that it was not important to refer patients to an ophthalmologist for an eye examination before starting the isotretinoin course. Lubricant eye drops were routinely prescribed by 96% of the respondents during the isotretinoin course. Fifty (33.3%) dermatologists rarely or never asked patients about recent refractive surgery before starting the isotretinoin course. Sixty-six (44%) dermatologists rarely or never warned their patients to avoid refractive surgery for at least 6 months after the isotretinoin course is completed. One hundred ten (73.3%) dermatologists always informed their patients of contact lens intolerance as a result of isotretinoin use. Conclusion: Almost all participants prescribed lubricant eye drops routinely. Most participants self-reported their knowledge regarding the ocular side effects of isotretinoin; however, more than a third did not inquire about recent refractive surgery before starting the course, and less than half did not warn patients not to undergo refractive surgery 6 months after the end of the course. This demonstrates that a significant proportion of dermatologists do not follow the appropriate practices with respect to refractive surgery when they prescribe isotretinoin. Improving the dermatologists' awareness regarding isotretinoin prescription practice is essential with respect to laser refractive surgery to prevent ocular damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]