Treatment Outcome of Uveitis in Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune Uveitis

reviewing the outcomes of patients with uveitis caused by autoimmune diseases treated at Assiut University Hospital at the Ophthalmology and Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Departments.

Autoimmune uveitis (AU) is an inflammation of the uvea caused by either an autoimmune reaction to self-antigens or an innate inflammatory reaction secondary to an external stimulus. Corticosteroids are considered the gold standard in management of acute AU, but it is necessary to combine them with other immunosuppressive drugs. Finally, biological anti-inflammatory agents (for exapmle antagonists of tumor necrosis factor alpha like Infliximab and adalimumab) are also showing very promising results. Follow-up visits of subjects with uveitis must be frequent and focused on monitoring the recurrence of acute outbreaks, , if any. They should be aimed to determine the evolution of inflammatory signs until their complete resolution, thus ensuring the least possible consequences. After the initial phase of the treatment, the duration of use of the maintenance medication is directly related to the diagnosis, treatment and control of the underlying disease. This will help to determine if a patient is badly controlled and requires a more aggressive therapeutic plan. Also, a complete physical exam must be done each time the patient sees to the physician in order to monitor ophthalmological complications or development of adverse effects secondary to the treatment.

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