[Options and strategy for the treatment of chronic endogenous uveitis].

PURPOSE

The treatment of chronic endogenous uveitis has included the use of local and systemic corticosteroids since the early 1950 s, and these still constitute the first-line option in the treatment, once an infectious aetiology has been excluded.

METHODS

Since the 1960 s, broad experience has been collected with antiproliferative and alkylating agents, and since the 1980 s several immunosuppressants have been employed in the therapy for endogenous uveitis. It has been recognised that the therapeutic response is not only related to a specific uveitic entity, but also to the genetic background of the individual.

RESULTS

Therefore, no clear guide lines for therapy exist and, for most of the drugs, controlled studies are not available. Vitrectomy and intravitreal drug delivery have been added as local options on top or in case of failure of systemic therapies. The advent of biological agents, however, i. e. the introduction of interferon alpha and TNF alpha blocking agents, has opened a new era in the treatment of immunogenetic and autoimmune disorders.

CONCLUSION

Evidence-based knowledge and personal experience have been reviewed to provide an update on the therapeutic strategy for chronic endogenous uveitis. The newly introduced biologicals seem to represent an interesting addition to the existing therapeutic options. Informations pertaining to efficacy and side effects of a long-term treatment of uveitis are, nevertheless, as yet not available.