Innovations in the treatment of uveitis

Advances in the treatment of uveitis have come mainly in the form of development of new medications and new methods for delivering existing medications. This has also been aided by an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying specific types of uveitis.

Examples include the direct intravitreal delivery of a range of therapeutic agents including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and sustained release mechanisms for intravitreal delivery of steroids or antivirals. Advances in systemic treatment include biologic drugs and some newer immunosuppressive agents which are more effective or safer than older agents. However, as some of these treatments are expensive and may not have a product licence for this particular use, uveitis specialists may spend significant amounts of time applying for individual funding for treatment or appealing against decisions of commissioners not to fund treatment.

Ophthalmologists who wish to implement new treatments should follow notify their organisation and follow its normal clinical governance procedures in relation to audit and patient consent, particularly where it involves unlicensed medications or an unlicensed use of a licensed medication.