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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
07:40
Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis: An Intraocular Inflammatory Mouse Model
Published on: January 12, 2022
Switching biologic agents for uveitis
N Dhingra1, J Morgan, A D Dick
1Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol, UK. ndhingra@doctors.org.uk
Eye (London, England)
|August 4, 2009
Summary
Switching biological agents can help patients with refractory uveitis regain control of eye inflammation and systemic symptoms. This strategy may restore remission when initial treatments lose effectiveness, improving patient management.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Refractory uveitis poses a significant challenge in managing sight-threatening ocular inflammation.
- Loss of response to initial biological agents necessitates exploring alternative treatment strategies.
Observation:
- This case series reviewed seven patients with refractory uveitis who switched between biological agents (infliximab, adalimumab).
- Reasons for switching included controlling systemic symptoms, uveitis flares, or improving drug administration ease.
- Patients included adults with sarcoidosis, ankylosing spondylitis, sero-negative polyarthropathy, and children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Findings:
- Switching biological agents successfully restored control of intraocular inflammation in patients with refractory uveitis.
- Systemic symptoms were also managed effectively post-switch.
- Concomitant immunosuppression was reduced or maintained, with a decrease in corticosteroid use.
Implications:
- Switching biological agents is a viable strategy for managing refractory uveitis when initial therapies fail.
- This approach can help maintain or regain remission, control systemic disease, and simplify treatment administration.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in larger cohorts.
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