Rheumatic inflammatory eye diseases of childhood

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2013 Nov;39(4):801-32. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2013.05.005. Epub 2013 Jul 13.

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory eye diseases are a common manifestation of pediatric rheumatologic diseases, potentially leading to lifelong vision impairment and disability. The mechanisms leading to the breach of the blood eye/brain barrier and the subsequent immune attack against a variety of intraocular mostly unidentified antigens remains poorly understood. Pediatric rheumatologists need to be familiar with the various inflammatory eye diseases because they are often responsible for selecting and supervising treatment in close collaboration with the ophthalmologist. This article provides an update of recent developments in the pathogenesis and treatment of the most relevant ocular diseases encountered in rheumatologic practice.

Keywords: Blood eye/brain barrier; Inflammatory eye diseases; Ocular coherence tomography; Uveitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Cogan Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Cogan Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Eye Diseases / diagnosis
  • Eye Diseases / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / diagnosis
  • Nephritis, Interstitial / drug therapy
  • Pars Planitis / diagnosis
  • Pars Planitis / drug therapy
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Uveitis / diagnosis*
  • Uveitis / drug therapy
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis