Management of uveitis

Abstract.

Uveitis is a group of inflammatory eye diseases that cause substantial visual disability and present challenges to diagnosis and treatment. Immune-mediated subtypes of uveitis must be distinguished from infections and malignant forms of the disease, and systemic associations of an ocular inflammation must be recognized. Clinical examination, rather than screening by a series of laboratory and radiological investigations, is generally the key to making the correct diagnosis. Treatment of many forms of immune-mediated uveitis involves immunosuppressive agents, which may be administered locally or systemically. The introduction of biological agents and novel methods for drug delivery are providing further therapeutic options for patients with recalcitrant disease. This review focuses on the common specific forms of uveitis, and describes current and potential future treatment practices.