[Uveitis research--between disappointment and hope].

Uveitis, often a severe eye disease, remains a challenge for the ophthalmologist interested in research. At Zürich University eye clinic, Rudolf Witmer has personally carried out much research work on this subject during the last 24 years, as well as stimulating much work around him. The following review studies the results. The etiology of the disease could only be demonstrated in about 10% of the cases, despite innumerable studies performed with various techniques in aqueous humor and serum. However, some typical clinical forms of uveitis could be clearly defined, and the role of the immune system in this disease at least partially investigated. Moreover, quite satisfactory therapeutic results were achieved in many cases, either through the use of immunosuppressive cytostatic drugs, or thanks to special surgical techniques.