Abstract:Uveitis is an inflammation of any or all parts of the uveal tract including the iris, ciliary body and the choroid. Despite current advances in diagnosis and management, visual loss occurs in 35%-45% of patients with uveitis. The etiopatho- genesis of uveitis remains unknown; it may be associated with environmental and immunogenetic factors. Many studies have demonstrated polymorphisms in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, which may determine involvement in uveitis. Recently polymorphisms in non-MHC genes, including cytokine and chemokine genes, have been reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of uveitis. We reviewed the advances in the studies on cytokine and chemokine gene polymorphisms associated with uveitis.
