ABSTRACT
Introduction: This review summarises current biologic agents commonly used in the treatment of uveitis. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed interface, looking specifically at randomised controlled studies, retrospective studies and case reports involving the use of biologic agents in the treatment of ocular inflammation. The following key words were used: uveitis, biologic agents, ocular inflammatory disease, pathophysiology and uveitis. In addition, relevant information was also included from selected ophthalmology textbooks. Results: A variety of biologic agents are being applied to the treatment of ocular inflammation. Randomised controlled trials addressing the use of such agents are lacking but there exist several case reports and case series studies which show the targeted therapeutic efficacy of various biologic agents tailored to the pathophysiology of ocular inflammatory disease. Conclusion: Biologic therapies provide clinicians with new, alternative treatment options for treating sight-threatening refractory uveitis, avoiding the side effects of long-term corticosteroid and steroid-sparing agent use
Uveitis is a general term describing inflammation of one or all parts of the uveal tract. Deleterious effects on vision, either by acute ocular inflammation or by its sequelae, such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinal vascular ischaemia, make uveitis one of the major causes of visual loss.1 Uveitis can be broadly classified into those associated with infections and uveitis of a non-infectious aetiology, of which association with systemic autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are well recognised.
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