Immunological concepts and the eye: a review of the classical and ocular arthus reactions

Inflammatory processes can involve any tissue in the eye. Despite advances in therapy, the sequelae of inflammation continue to be a major cause of visual impairment. Knowledge of disease pathogenesis in clinical ocular inflammations remains imprecise, and defined models are crucial in developing this understanding and evolving rational approaches to treatment. This review analyzes the contributions that studies of the classical and Arthus ocular Arthus-type reactions have made as to how the eye functions as an immunological entity. The anticipated development of therapeutic agents that may modulate immune processes with remarkable specificity, gives a new impetus to such experimental studies.