[Climatotherapy in chronic inflammations of the uvea]

Treatment of uveitis depends on the inhibition of the inflammatory reaction by corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents. "Climatotherapy" remains a controversial subject and is generally not accepted. To test its efficacy a pilot study was undertaken. Children with chronic iridocyclitis or intermediate uveitis were sent to Israel for 3 weeks. During the follow-up period of 26 months there was an initial regression of the inflammatory reaction in most cases, followed by varied courses depending on the severity of the disease. Although no definite conclusions can be drawn owing to the small number of patients (5) there might been a beneficial effect. It seems very difficult to prove the efficacy of such "treatment", since not only the climate but also many other environmental factors were changed.