Clinical trials in pediatric uveitis

Abstract

Uveitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of ocular inflammation in children. Prevention of permanent visual damage by this silent disease requires heightened awareness from pediatric rheumatologists and ophthalmologists. Early prediction of severity and prognosis will aid in the identification of those patients requiring more aggressive management. Generally, reports using immunosuppressives in this population are small, uncontrolled, and retrospective. Large-scale collaborative studies have been proposed and are underway. Hopefully, collaborations between pediatricians, pediatric rheumatologists, and ophthalmologists will allow the development of straightforward treatment guidelines for children suffering from chronic uveitis and its related complications.