title: Cicatrizing and autoimmune diseases.
abstract: Autoimmune disorders of the ocular surface represent a clinically heterogeneous group of conditions where acute and chronic autoreactive mechanisms can cause significant damage to the eye. When severe and affecting the epithelium and substantia propria of the conjunctiva, cicatrization can ensue, leading to significant mechanical alterations as a result of the fibrosis. These conditions, though generally infrequent, can be the cause of profound pathology and visual disability, and often need systemic immune modulation for therapy.
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass., USA.
authors.forename: Saadia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rashid
authors.forename: M Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000276:immunology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000276:immunology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000276:immunology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000276:immunology; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology