Unlike
other organs in our bodies, the eye tends to be
spared the ravages of attack by our immune system.
The fascinating presence of this "immune privilege" is
the subject of much scientific research into the
understanding of our immune system in general.
Some patients, however, for reasons that are not
always clear, lose the "immune privilege" of
their eye and experience attack by their immune
system against structures within the eye. This
inflammatory attack against oneself is directed
at such sensitive structures within the eye that
pain and loss of vision may occur. In severe cases
if the inflammation is not halted blindness may
occur.
Uveitis is not a single disease, but rather can
be triggered by a host of infections, autoimmune
and malignant disorders. Prompt diagnosis and prompt
treatment is critical in this challenging group
of disorders. |
