Emma has cataracts because of prednisone steroid treatments. Joint pain is also a side effect of osteoperosis induced by steroidal treatments. Since the root cause of IBD/UC/Crohns is not known, all treatments consist of treating symptoms. The treatments sometimes cause side effects that are as bad, if not worse than the disease itself. (Methotrexate injections which help until lung/liver damage forces you to stop using it) New developments are having mixed results. Emma was the second child in Canada to receive Remicade (an experimental TNF drug made by genetic splicing} The results obtained on children in Canada, are reportedly not as rewarding as those in the USA. The searvh for cause and cure continues. Yours, Aye. Dave (who just put Emma back in hospital today)