Issue 9/2026
Mitkova-Hristova, V.
Department of Eye Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, MU – Plovdiv
University Eye Clinic, University Hospital „St. George“ – Plovdiv
Non-infectious uveitis (NIU) represents a heterogeneous group of inflammatory disorders of the uveal tract in which the pathological process is mediated by dysregulated immune responses rather than by a direct infectious etiology. The disease is a leading cause of preventable blindness in developed countries, accounting for approximately 10–15% of all cases of severe visual impairment. Its pathogenesis involves activation of autoreactive T cells, disruption of the eye’s immune privilege, and an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory immune mediators. Clinical presentation ranges from isolated anterior uveitis to panuveitis with or without systemic associations. Therapeutic options include topical corticosteroids, systemic immunosuppressive agents, and, over the last two decades, targeted biologic therapies. Novel biologic agents, including monoclonal antibodies against TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17/23, and VEGF, together with inhibitors of the JAK signaling pathway, have provided new opportunities for the treatment of refractory NIU and have significantly improved the prognosis for vision preservation.
Key words: non-infectious uveitis, autoimmune ocular disease, TNF-α inhibitors, adalimumab, intravitreal implant, immunosuppression
Adress for correspondence:
Dr. Vessela Mitkova-Hristova, MD
Department of Eye Diseases, Faculty of Medicine,
Medical University – Plovdiv
15A „V. Aprilov“ Blvd.
4002, Plovdiv