Intraocular Inflammation and Systemic Immune-Mediated Diseases

Certain forms of uveitis, or intraocular inflammation, occur in association with systemic immune-mediated diseases. The specific location of the inflammation within the eye is often helpful in diagnosing an associated systemic disease, but it also provides clues to the pathogenic mechanisms of the ocular and systemic pathology. In this review we consider the most common uveitis-systemic disease associations. We describe clinical aspects of these diseases and discuss current concepts in relation to the pathogenesis of the ocular inflammation. By clarifying the basic mechanisms operating in these conditions, it may be possible to design disease-specific therapies to manage the ocular inflammation, as well as the associated systemic disease.