The history of uveitis: from antiquity to the present day

Abstract

This comprehensive review traces the historical understanding and treatment of uveitis from ancient civilisations to modern medicine, a history which reflects the evolution of medical understanding and practice in general. Early descriptions of ocular inflammation appear in Egyptian medical papyri from 1700 BCE, with subsequent contributions from Greek and Roman physicians, including Hippocrates and Galen, who provided foundational observations of ocular inflammatory conditions. Medieval scholars in the Middle East, particularly Avicenna, preserved and advanced classical knowledge while recognising the systemic nature of ocular inflammation. The Renaissance and Enlightenment periods brought anatomical precision and the emergence of ophthalmology as a distinct specialty, notably through innovations such as Helmholtz's ophthalmoscope in 1851. The twentieth century marked a paradigm shift with the evolution of immunological understanding, leading to the recognition of autoimmune mechanisms and genetic predispositions in uveitis. The introduction of corticosteroids mid-century revolutionised treatment, followed by the development of steroid-sparing immunomodulatory agents and, more recently, targeted biological therapies. Contemporary advances in imaging technology and the establishment of international collaborative groups have standardised classification and treatment approaches. This historical perspective demonstrates the progression from empirical observations to precision medicine in uveitis, highlighting the importance of understanding this evolution for advancing future therapeutic strategies.