Uveitis and Ocular Inflammatory Disease
uveitis, HLA, cytokines
Research aim
To uncover the clinical characteristics and immune mechanisms that cause inflammation in the human eye and orbit. Our goal is to translate science into interventions for early diagnosis and better management of these sight-treathing conditions.
About us
Worldwide, inflammatory diseases of the eye remain one of the major causes of preventable blindness. Molecular causes of inflammatory eye diseases remain mostly unknown, and the course of the disease is highly heterogeneous. Understanding the immune mechanisms driving eye inflammation will help improve clinical care. The Uveitis and Ocular Inflammatory Disease Group is part of the Uveitis Center of Excellence at UMC Utrecht and specializes in the immunology of inflammatory eye diseases, particularly uveitis. Through collaborations with clinicians and researchers worldwide, the group employs diverse methods such as immunophenotyping and genetic studies to decipher immune dysregulation in these conditions. The group has a special interest in molecular pathways involved in birdshot uveitis and pediatric uveitis, notably juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis.