Emerging drugs for the treatment of uveitis.

INTRODUCTION

Uveitis is a potentially visually debilitating disease when untreated or poorly controlled. Chronic intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis often requires systemic immunosuppressive therapy to prevent such visual loss.

AREAS COVERED: This review discusses existing treatments for ocular inflammation including corticosteroids, antimetabolites, alkylating agents, T-cell inhibitors, and biologic agents. Potential drugs being studied in clinical trials are introducing new routes for local corticosteroid delivery, and novel immunomodulators are exploring new targets of the inflammatory cascade.

EXPERT OPINION: Treatment options for uveitis have expanded from even a decade ago. However, more clinical trials and research are needed to further our understanding of the mechanisms of ocular inflammation and the safety and efficacy of novel therapies.