2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
9 Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Chapter 6: Therapy for Uveitis
This chapter includes a related video, which can be accessed by scanning the QR code provided in the text or going to www.aao.org/bcscvideo_section09.
Highlights
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The goal of uveitis treatment is to prevent vision loss from structural complications of uncontrolled inflammation, while minimizing the ocular and systemic adverse effects of therapy.
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Medical therapy consists of local or systemic anti-inflammatory and/or anti-microbial agents.
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Anti-inflammatory treatments include local and systemic corticosteroids and systemic immunomodulatory therapy.
Therapy for uveitis ranges from simple observation to complex medical or surgical intervention. Many patients with mild, self-limiting anterior uveitis need no referral to a uveitis specialist. However, in uveitis that is chronic or difficult to treat, early referral to a uveitis specialist may be helpful in confirming the diagnosis and determining a therapeutic regimen. Treatment may require coordination with other medical or surgical consultants and detailed informed consent. Discussion with the patient and other specialists about the prognosis and complications of uveitis helps determine the appropriate therapy.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 9 - Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.