Retinal autoimmunity: two decades of research

A brief review of our current knowledge of retinal autoimmunity and the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveitis developed over the past two decades is presented. Attention is focused upon the discovery of retinal S-antigen, its isolation and characterization, manifestations of the disease produced, mechanisms of experimental autoimmune uveitis, analysis of the activities of the peptide fragments of the antigen, and potential relationships of the model to human ocular disease.