title: The Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation preferred practice patterns of uveitis management.
abstract: Ocular inflammatory disease is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Uveitis encompasses a wide spectrum of pathology, both with respect to its etiology and the anatomic location within the eye. Inflammation can be confined to the eye and may also be seen systemically. The cornerstone of management of ocular inflammatory disease historically has been corticosteroids, which are invaluable in the immediate control of inflammation; however, corticosteroids are inappropriate for long-term use as they are associated with a wide array of toxic side effects. As we continue to learn more about the various etiologies and elucidate the basic science pathways and mechanisms of action that cause intraocular inflammation, new therapeutic approaches have evolved. They include employment of immunomodulatory agents (corticosteroid-sparing therapies) that have expanded our treatment options for these vision-threatening diseases. These pharmacologics provide therapy for ocular and systemic inflammation in an individualized, patient-tailored, stepladder approach with the ultimate goal of durable, corticosteroid-free remission. We review the preferred practice patterns of a tertiary care center specializing in ocular inflammatory disease.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address: sfoster@mersi.com.
authors.forename: C Stephen
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Srishti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Anesi
authors.affiliation: Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Vitreoretinal Division, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: Albert T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Associate Director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Metropolitan Eye Research and Surgery Institute, Palisades Park, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie Lynne
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Metzinger
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation (OIUF), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cerón
mesh_terms: D005123:Eye / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005582:Foundations / Q000592:standards; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000458:organization & administration; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards; D014605:Uveitis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: biologic; corticosteroid; immunomodulatory therapy; immunosuppression; inflammation; ocular inflammatory disease; uveitis