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Autoimmune ophthalmic diseases represent a complex and challenging field, but Protheragen's dedication to scientific excellence and therapeutic innovation has positioned us as a trusted partner in the pursuit of transformative solutions. Through our innovative services, we are committed to providing global pharmaceutical companies with one-stop drug and therapy development solutions.
Autoimmune ophthalmic diseases are a group of conditions where the immune system mistakenly targets the eye's own tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. These diseases can affect various parts of the eye, including the cornea, retina, and uveal tract. The immune response can be triggered by genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and molecular mimicry. From a scientific perspective, these diseases are characterized by the production of autoantibodies or autoreactive T cells that recognize self-antigens as foreign, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction.
Fig.1 Classification of autoimmune diseases. (Glover K., et al., 2021)In recent years, there has been notable progress in the development of medications and therapeutics for autoimmune ophthalmic conditions. Current therapeutic approaches encompass a range of strategies, including the utilization of corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biologics, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Corticosteroids, valued for their robust anti-inflammatory properties, are commonly employed as the initial line of therapeutics.
For more severe or resistant cases, immunosuppressive agents like cyclosporine and azathioprine are utilized to dampen the immune response. Biologics, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors and interleukin (IL) inhibitors, provide targeted therapy by regulating specific components of the immune system. Additionally, the field is witnessing the advent of gene therapy as a potential therapeutic avenue for genetic conditions with autoimmune attributes.
Table 1. Rare ocular manifestations of various autoimmune diseases. (Glover K., et al., 2021)
| Autoimmune Disease | Uncommon ocular manifestations associated with autoimmune disorders |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Peripheral ulcerative, peripheral stromal thinning, pterygium, choroiditis, acute central corneal melting. |
| Sjogren's Syndrome | Retinal vasculitis, corneal perforation, corneal melt, conjunctival epithelial keratinization, sterile corneal ulcer, optic neuropathy. |
| Behcet's Disease | Hypopyon, papillitis, retinal periphlebitis, chorioretinitis, periarteritis, iris bombe, keratic precipitates, posterior synechiae, and epiretinal membrane. |
| Crohn's Disease | Subepithelial infiltrates perivascular sheathing, lid margin, orbital myositis, lid swelling, optic neuritis, palpebral ptosis, dyacroadenitis, choroidal neovascularization, central serous chorioretinopathy. |
| Uclerative Colitis | Orbital swelling, iritis, central serous chorioretinopathy, vasculitis, keratopathy, choroidal neovascularisation, cranial nerve palsy, uveal effusion, optic neuritis. |
| Celiac Disease | Orbital myositis, microbial keratitis, keratomalacia, retinopathy, nyctalopia, thyroid-associated orbitopathy, pseudotumor cerebri. |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Cranial nerve palsies, optic neuritis, optic neuritis, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, retinal periphlebitis, nystagmus, pars planitis, oscillopsia, lesions affecting the chiasm, reduced colour perception. |
| Guillain-Barre Syndrome | Accommodation insufficiency, cotton wool spots, pupillary dysfunction, papillophlebitis, ophthalmoparesis, lagophthalmos, ectropion, esotropia, corneal sensitivity, Colgan's lid twitch, papilloedema, mydriasis, vertical gaze palsy. |
| Myasthenia Gravis | Internuclear ophthalmoplegia, thyroid eye disease, ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, orbicularis weakness, lagophthalmos. |
| Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus | Diabetic retinopathy, reduced vascular density, accommodation insufficiency, corneal erosion, corneal hypoesthesia. |
| Graves' Disease | Thyroid-associated ophthalmology, proptosis, meibomian gland dysfunction, corneal hysteresis, ocular lesions, eyelid oedema, conjunctival erythema. |
| Hashimoto's Thyroiditis | Thyroid-associated ophthalmology, reduced color vision, ptosis, upper eyelid retraction, conjunctival prolapse, chemosis, roptosis, exophthalmos, lid lag. |
| Psoriasis | Eyelid psoriasis, xerosis, ectropion, conjunctival lesions, orbital myositis, corneal opacities, ptosis, corneal pigment dispersion, peripheral corneal melt syndrome, meibomian gland dysfunction. |
| Systemic Sclerosis | Telangiectasia, iris transillumination, keratoconus, meibomain gland dysfunction, corneal astigmastism, keratopathy. |
| Dermatomyositis | Ptosis, strabismus, nystagmus, iritis, conjunctival oedema, cotton wool spots, papilloedema, orbital myositis, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, canthal scars. |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research service. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
At Protheragen, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive service offerings dedicated to advancing the development of therapies for autoimmune ophthalmic diseases. We have industry-leading scientists available to guide our clients through every step of the drug and therapeutic development process, from target identification to preclinical studies.
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