Emerging Role of Complement in Ocular Diseases

The eye is an immune privileged site and the protection of ocular tissue from various immunological insults is vital for the maintenance of vision. Activated complement is a double-edged sword that not only helps defend the host against pathogens, but also has the potential to inflict damage to self-tissues. This review article focuses on the crucial role played by the complement system in the protection of the normal eye as well as in the development of ocular diseases. There is increasing evidence in the literature suggesting that anti-complement agents such a recombinant complement regulatory proteins could potentially be used in the treatment of various ocular diseases.